Patna: The city of breathing easily like the air quality index (AQI) fell 26 units in the last 48 hours to reach 39 on Tuesday, which was in the “good” category, in accordance with the Central Polution Control Agency (CPCB).
It was caused by meteorological and late night shower conditions on Monday followed by an increase in local wind speeds, which washed away pollutants in the atmosphere more.
Prominent pollutants in the air city are ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO) and PM10 (material particles less than 10 microns).
According to the CPCB bulletin which was released at 4pm, the whole AQI 39 for Patna was the average data reading of the individual area which had a sustainable ambient air quality monitoring station.
This includes the DRM (38) office and Patna City (38), where Ozone is a prominent pollutant in the air.
Meanwhile, CO is the main pollutant at S K Memorial Hall (66) and Eco Park (28).
At the bit-intimate station where the AQI level was recorded at 26, PM10 was the main pollutant in the air.
Aqi between under 50 is classified as “good”, between 51 and 100 “satisfying” and between 101 and 200 “moderate”.
“Poor” air ranges from 201 to 300, “very poor” from 301 to 400 and “severe” from 401 to 500.
Experts said prominent pollutants over the past few days were co and ozone, showing high vehicle emissions concentration.
However, PM 10 and PM 2.5 (particle material less than 2.5 microns) existed before due to dust in the air.
Ashok Ghosh, Chair of the Bumar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), said the new sensor at the monitoring station was quite sensitive.
“We must recalibrate all stations to ensure that there is no data detection wrong.
We must see if there are some ozone sources that have increased in a particular area or it is a machine error.
We have prepared a pollution monitoring unit with two dedicated staff to analyze Scientific reasons about this shift from PM 2.5 and PM 10 to ozone and co.
We will know the reason in the next few weeks, “he said.
He added, “Rain, wind speed, and climate conditions have caused a decrease in AQI.
However, once the movement of the western wind begins and falls mercury, the AQI level can begin to deteriorate.” Air quality early warning system from the Ministry of Earth Science has estimated air spells which is relatively clean to continue for the next 24 hours.
Aqi is likely to increase from October 21 with changes in metorological conditions and dry spells, he added.
In terms of average Aqi, Patna fate better this October than in 2020 and even previous years.
The average AQI this October was 96 years in October 2020 2021 and 2020 saw six and three days “satisfying” air quality, but no “poor” day was recorded in October this year.
Last year in October, the “poor” level AQI 208 was recorded on the 19th day while the remaining 15 days was “moderate”.
This year, four days “good” and nine days “moderate” so far have been recorded in October.
Patna breathe easily like aqi turns out ‘good’
