Engulfing of dust clouds throws challenge in Hyd

An abnormal increase in the dust particles in the air is posing a major threat to the people of Hyderabad.

Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) is stated to be deadliest pollution in the city's air and it reached alarming level due to various reasons including outdated vehicles, industrial pollution and traffic jams compounded by metro rail works. The dust particles are increasingly joining the air at a speedy pace year by year. 

The Pollution Control Board (PIB) sources caution that RSPM levels have noticed in record level in the city in 2012. Heavy vehicular traffic, incessant traffic jams, bad roads, industrial smoke and several other factors are becoming health hazards causing respiratory mechanism among its citizens. The dust in the air has already crossed permissible level, PIB officials warn.

The city recorded RSPM 71 micrograms per cubic metre in 2001. It reached 87 mircrograms in 2012, an increase of 16 micrograms for cubic metre in 11 years. The abnormal rise in the RSPM is worrying the pollution control experts as it should not exceed 60 micrograms per cubic metre. Otherwise, it will show a negative impact on the health of the human beings. Most polluted areas where the dust particles mixed in the air are Balanagar, Punjagutta and Kukatpalli Junctions and the RSPM levels have crossed 100 micrograms for cubic metre. The RSPM on an average in a year recorded in the city: Balanagar with 127, Punjagutta - 122, Kukatpalli JNTU centre - 117, Charminar - 110, Uppal - 109, Lunger House - 105, Abids -99, Jeedimetla - 97, Paradise Centre - 93, Chikkadapalli - 87, Nacharam & Sainikpuri - 85, Jubilee Hills - 83 and Madapur- 82 micrograms per cubic metre. 

The Hyderabad city has 6,000-long KM roads in the limits of GHMC and on an average about 35 lakh vehicles are plying. Out of total, there are about 5 lakh vehicles, which had completed more than 15 years of service. These 5 lakh vehicles have to be brought down to minimise the pollutants and dust particles in the air. The RSPM levels are showing upward trend where metro rail works are undergoing. The RTC has to covert its city buses into CNG to reduce the pollution to maximum extent. It is observed that the RSPM levels have come down in Delhi after diesel buses were off the roads. 

RSPM causes health problems like asthma and other respiratory diseases. They are most common in the areas where the RSPM levels are higher.   The toxicity of the particulate matter depends on the source. Diesel is the worst source as it emits particulate matter containing polyaromatic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic. 

-Sakshipost