Warangal more polluted than New Delhi?

Warangal more polluted than New Delhi?
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Highlights

Believe it or not, many of the areas in Warangal city are worse polluted areas and in terms of poor quality of air beaten New Delhi, which as per the WHO has most polluted air on earth.

- Swachh Aakash Abhiyan reveals KU Crossroads is more polluted compared to country’s capital
- Experts from Integrated Allergy Standards of India and Ashwini Allergy Centre conducted the study

Hanamkonda: Believe it or not, many of the areas in Warangal city are worse polluted areas and in terms of poor quality of air beaten New Delhi, which as per the WHO has most polluted air on earth.

As per World Health Organisation report, the Indian capital records an average particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) reading of 153 micrograms per cubic meter while PM 2.5 reading at KU X Roads stands at 170 micrograms per cubic meter.

This has been revealed in a study of air quality done over a few days in this March by Integrated Allergy Standards of India (IASI) and Ashwini Allergy Centre under Swachh Aakash Abhiyan (Clear Air Campaign) initiated by Dr Vyakarnam Nageshwar of Aswini Allergy Centre. Dr Vyakarnam, president of Allergy and Asthma Network of India and chief operations of project Allergy Free India has taken up the study along with a team of experts Dr K Bhagirathi, Dr Giri Gowda and A Saritha under the guidance of Dr Shripad N Agashe, who is considered as father of Indian aerobiology.

The study is conducted using a Laser Guided Ultra Smart Air Pollution Monitor. Air quality index, PM 2.5, particulate matter more than PM 2.5, particulate matter more than .3 micro meter are monitored. The PM 2.5 reading at Pocham Maidan junction, Warangal Chowrasta are 120 and 117 respectively and top the list of highest air pollution zones among 23 different locations selected in Warangal. All the areas surveyed had pollution levels above normal limits. In fact they are cut above the WHO prescribed upper limit of concentration of PM 2.5 as 60g/m3.

As per National Air Quality Index (NAQI), the Indian Standard of air pollution, many of the locations surveyed for air pollution in falls under moderately polluted category, with KU X Roads, Warangal Chowrasta, Mulugu road junction, Adalath junction, and Kasibugga junction recorded as per NAQI as 350, 240, 275, 240 and 230 respectively.

It suggests as poor and very poor air quality to breathe. Such alarming levels may cause serious respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. Effect may be more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases, Dr. Vyakarnam worried. There is surge in symptoms like dry irritating cough, breathlessness, skin rashes, watering and itching of eyes, adverse cellular lung reaction, and increased prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

James Edwin

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