Sankranti affects air quality in parts of AP

Vijayawada: Ambient air quality had been a cause of concern in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Rajamahendravaram during the last four days owing to the Sankranti festivities.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has mentioned that the air quality has been “moderate” in Visakhapatnam. It registered an AQI of 203 (PM2.5) on January 12, 195 (PM2.5) on January 13; 111 (PM2.5) on January 14 and 110 (PM2.5) on January 15.

Vijayawada recorded 119 (NO2) at its Kanuru station on January 12 and 135 (NO2) on January 13 while the AQI had been satisfactory in the remaining two days.

In Rajamahendravaram, it had been 172 (PM2.5) on January 12 and 170 (PM2.5) on January 13, which can be considered as moderate to poor.

On January 15, the AQI recorded at Kakinada had been 102 (PM10), which is considered as moderate, while Anantapur, Bobbili, Chittoor, Eluru, Guntur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Pydibheemavaram, Rajamahendravaram, Srikakulam, Tirumala, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vizianagaram, Yerraguntla and Velagapudi recorded the AQI as satisfactory.

Anantapur (Court Road) and Tirupati recorded the AQI to be good.

According to the CPCB’s health statement for AQI, if the code is “good,” it causes minimal impact on health. If it is “satisfactory,” it causes minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people. If it is “moderate,” it causes breathing discomfort to people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases.

AP Pollution Control Board senior environmental scientist Sree Rajani said, “With a lot of activity all around due to Sankranti festival, the air quality has witnessed a drastic change in some parts of the state. Fog further polluting the air,” she added.