PM10 stable for years, but now it is on the rise: Experts

Mumbai: Although the concentration of PM10 was recorded as stable in Mumbai over the years, experts have asserted that its trend is high in the city. In Mumbai the annual average PM10 in 2016 was 130 microgram per cubic meter (mg/cbm), which is about 2 times higher than the standard (prescribed ambient air limit) of 60 mg/cbm. Same period, Navi Mumbai recorded 151 microgram per cubic meter which is about 3 times higher than the standard.

PM10 is particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter. Exposure to such particles can lead to decreased lung function and increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.

“The last three years annual average PM10 concentration of Mumbai was recorded 111, which is 1.8 times higher than the safe limit. Cities that cross the annual PM10 level more than 1.5 times are considered to be critically polluted.

As such, Mumbai needs to reduce pollution by 85% in terms of  PM10 pollutant to meet up with the annual standard limit,” said Anumita Roychowdhary, Executive Director- Research, CSE. The same holds true for Navi Mumbai and Thane with 137% and 132% reduction respectively.

The India’s Health of Nation’s State Report, 2017 done by Indian Council of Medical Research and Public Health Foundation of India has stated that air pollution ranked 4th in the risk factors that drive deaths and disabilities in 2016.

Take-away from the CSE report

• Mumbai and Nagpur are among the cities that have stable but high trends for PM10 concentrations.
• Nashik showed the highest rise in PM10 concentration trend with 260% rise since 2007.
• In Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal, although air pollution is low, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and cancers have increased substantially.