Pollution control board to record air quality

Authorities to check noise levels while people burst fire crackers

Update: 2015-11-11 07:58 GMT
Representational image
RajahmundryState pollution control board authorities are going to check the ambient air quality and noise level at several places as the people fire crackers to mark Diwali festival on Wednesday in Godavari districts. The PCB staff armed with Ambient Air Quality monitoring equipment and noise monitors will hit the roads mainly in Kakinada and Eluru especially between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm to record the air and sound pollution. Ambient air quality is permissible up to 100 micro grams per a metre cube and sound is permitted up to 55 decibels in residential area, 65 decibels in commercial area and up to 75 decibels in industrial area normally. 
 
The erstwhile AP government had already issued an order restricting the release of sound up to 100 decibels during the firing of crackers. This means that the manufacturer of fireworks is supposed to keep the sound level once the crackers are exploded to 100 decibels sound only. This norm is strictly complied with licenced manufacturers of fireworks. 
 
However, the trouble comes with those who make high intensity bombs of local version which are very popular and most sought after as they explode by making high decibel sounds. For instance Bommuru bombs are very popular locally. The PCB authorities maintain that a majority number of people are well aware of air and sound pollution being caused due to bursting of crackers and they are not going for such crackers except for a few who still intend to trouble their neighbours by bursting bombs which cause high decibel sounds. 
 
PCB East Godavari environmental engineer D. Ravindra Babu said, “Our staff armed with the equipment will move in areas where they expect more number of people fire crackers and bombs and record the air and sound pollution as they get displayed on the monitor.” Meanwhile, the cracker traders are desperate to sell them away even at less margin of profit as they fear that further rainfall may dampen the spirit of customers to purchase them.

 

 

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