Air quality improves as vehicle traffic comes to a halt

However, the particulate matter (PM) 2.5 recorded at Royapuram, where vehicles continue to move from the port, is merely satisfactory at 72 microgram/m3. According to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) data, the air quality levels in the city was within the permissible limits.

The pollution level of PM 2.5 in Perungudi was 39 microgram/ m3, Koyambedu at 38 microgram/m3 and Guumidipoondi at 51 microgram/ m3, which is considered to be good.

The public stayed indoors and the roads had fewer vehicles, which has contributed to the city’s clean air levels.

But the PM 2.5 levels at Royapuram and Manali increased to 79 microgram/ m3 and 78 microgram/m3

respectively on Friday.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the PM 2.5 at Manali has been over the permissible level of 100 microgram/ m3 till last Monday. The readings ranging between 109 and 125 micrograms/ m3 dropped after the government ordered the shutdown.

A senior TNPCB official said, “The air quality level in the city, which is within the permissible limits, is moderate to good. The only areas where the pollution levels are higher than the rest of the city are where there is a traffic of container lorries in North Chennai.” However, the particulate matter (PM) 2.5 recorded at Royapuram, where vehicles continue to move from the port, is merely satisfactory at 72 microgram/m3. According to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) data, the air quality levels in the city was within the permissible limits.

The pollution level of PM 2.5 in Perungudi was 39 microgram/ m3, Koyambedu at 38 microgram/m3 and Guumidipoondi at 51 microgram/ m3, which is considered to be good.

The public stayed indoors and the roads had fewer vehicles, which has contributed to the city’s clean air levels.

But the PM 2.5 levels at Royapuram and Manali increased to 79 microgram/ m3 and 78 microgram/m3

respectively on Friday.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the PM 2.5 at Manali has been over the permissible level of 100 microgram/ m3 till last Monday. The readings ranging between 109 and 125 micrograms/ m3 dropped after the government ordered the shutdown.

A senior TNPCB official said, “The air quality level in the city, which is within the permissible limits, is moderate to good. The only areas where the pollution levels are higher than the rest of the city are where there is a traffic of container lorries in North Chennai.”