Pune: According to the data furnished by the National Air Quality Index (NAQI), Pune ranked third least polluted city during Diwali among nine other cities in the State. Harmful pollutants during Diwali were as high as 500 micrograms per cubic metre during the night which may affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases.
The first two least polluted cities were Navi Mumbai and Chandrapur. According to studies, pollutants PM 10 and PM 2.5 are on a higher level where firecrackers are burnt.
In Pune, levels of PM 10 and PM 2.5 pollutants were seen as high as 500 in the Air Quality Index (AQI) and with a minimum of 26. The highest average throughout the day was 113. In the AQI, 201-300 is considered to be poor air quality with breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure. Between 301 and 400 is very poor where one can have respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
Between 401 and 500, the air quality affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases. Mumbai, which was the most polluted city in the State, recorded 214 on the AQI on Oct 20 and 196 on Oct 19.
Pune scenario
A report by System of Air Quality And Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) stated that the highest levels of PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants were recorded between 10 pm and 3 am on the night of Oct 19 till wee hours of Oct 20.
The report said that on Diwali day PM2.5 was recorded at 82.75 micrograms per cubic metre air which falls under moderate category Air Quality Index (AQI). And on post-Diwali day it was 138.59 micrograms per cubic metre which falls under the very poor category of AQI.
On Diwali day, there was a two-degree drop in the minimum temperature compared to previous days. This drop in temperature along with calm winds resulted in accumulation of pollutants emitted from firecrackers, noted the SAFAR report.
The report stated that the air quality is likely to improve from October 22. The most polluted area in the city was Katraj followed by Shivajinagar, Hadapsar, Lohegaon, Bhumkar Chowk, Alandi, Bhosari, Nigdi and Manjri. The least polluted area was Pashan.