Pollution rises in city despite sporadic rainfall

CHENNAI: Despite scattered rain across the city for the past few days, the air pollution level has slightly increased in many areas.

In July, the pollution data was under a ‘good level’, whereas this month it has dropped to ‘satisfaction’. Manali continues to record as the most polluted area in the city, with vehicles moving round the clock and emission of toxic gases from nearby industries in the locality.

On Sunday, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed, the air pollution level in Kodugaiyur 32 microgram/m3, Perungudi 35 microgram/m3, Arumbakkam 36 microgram/m3, which has been in the good category. The areas in satisfactory level are Alandur – 59 microgram/m3, Royapuram 61 microgram/m3, and Manali 69 microgram/m3.

Similarly, on August 14, Manali had recorded 158 microgram/m3 air pollution, followed by Perungudi with 70 microgram/m3, Alandur 58 microgram/m3, Royapuram 55 microgram/m3, and Arumbakkam 54 microgram/m3.

Chennaiites witnessed a severe drop in air pollution levels with it being lower than the permissible limits in July. In Velachery it was 37 microgram/m3, Arumbakkam 41 microgram/m3, Kodugaiyur 47 microgram/m3, and Perungudi is 48 microgram/m3, and Alandur 58 microgram/m3, is considered to be good.

For almost two months, due to sudden toxic gas leakage from companies in Manali, the air pollution increased gradually. On July 10, it was 63 microgram/m3, after a week it went up to 75 microgram/m3. On August 7, the pollution surged to 162 microgram/m3.