Hyderabad: Air unhealthy for sensitive groups

Hyderabad: The air in the city has been rated unhealthy for sensitive groups for 115 out of 365 days, according to a private international air pollution monitoring mobile app, Plume Labs, based in Paris, France. The quality index is based on US Environmental Protection Agency standards. Sensitive groups include children, senior citizens, those with respiratory problems and those who are sensitive to any kind of pollutants.

According to the air quality Index developed by the EPA, the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups if the AQI is between 101 and 150. The AQI in Hyderabad was in this range for 115 days in a year. The EPA’s calculation is based on four major pollutants: ground level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. A similar report was made available recently by the Central Pollution Control Board which has also devised an air quality index based on 12 parameters (PM10, PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ground level ozone, ammonia, carbon monoxide, arsenic, nickel, lead, benzene and benzopyrene).

The CPCB report found that 261 of the 407 days of air monitoring data from Hyderabad were ‘bad’ when either one or all of the pollutants crossed the limits. Pollution levels are highest in the afternoons and evenings and continue to stay high till late night. This indicates that those who prefer evenings to have a stroll or a jog should consider changing their schedule and exercise in the morning instead, preferably between 5 am and 9 am.