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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
City's PM10 levels drop 12% in seven years
CHENNAI: Among the four cities – Chennai, Tiruchy, Madurai and Thoothukudi – in Tamil Nadu that are covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the capital city recorded a modest PM10 reduction, while Thoothukudi recorded the sharpest reduction in the seven year period between 2017-18 and 2024-25 According to the data presented by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Lok Sabha, the average concentration of PM10 levels in Chennai dropped by 12.1 % from 66 µg/m3 in 2017-18 to 58 µg/m3 in 2024-25. Thoothukudi, meanwhile, recorded a 54.5% reduction with the PM10 levels dropping from 123 µg/m3 in 2017-2018 to 56 µg/m in 2024-2025. The average concentration of PM10 levels in Madurai and Tiruchy dropped from 88 and 72 in 2017-18 to 57 and 61 in 2024-25 respectively. Meanwhile, Chennai fared poorly in terms of drop in PM10 levels compared to other metropolitan cities like Mumbai (44%), Kolkata (37%), and even Delhi (15.8%). However, in terms of the actual average concentration of PM10 levels recorded, Chennai with 58 µg/m3, fared far better than Mumbai (90), Kolkata (92), and Delhi (203). Although Chennai is now closer to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 60 µg/m3, experts say the progress is incremental and insufficient given the scale of urbanisation, traffic, and construction activity. 'The figures may look acceptable on paper, but the health impact remains tangible. We continue to see rising respiratory cases in urban centres like Chennai,' a senior pulmonologist at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital told TNIE.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Building sites under scanner for ‘masking' air pollution data
Ahmedabad: Some developers are literally throwing dust in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) eyes, first by flouting rules on air pollution management norms at their sites, and then by covering up their act. Under rules introduced in 2023, AMC had mandated, among other measures, that air quality sensors to monitor PM10 levels be installed at all construction sites larger than 10,000sq m. Currently, over 100 sites have sensors that feed real time data to AMC. The civic body, however got suspicious when readings from some sites were unusually low and too good to be true — they consistently reported PM10 levels below 50, pointing to a cover-up. And, cover up it was, AMC's investigations revealed. At many sites, the sensors were found wrapped with a wet cloth to manipulate the readings. An AMC official requesting anonymity said, "In 2023, the corporation implemented a new policy to curb air pollution from construction sites. It became mandatory to install air quality sensors for approving construction plans for sites larger than 10,000sq m. As of July 2025, 100 sites have such sensors. If pollution levels rise, builders are to be notified, and fines imposed for repeated violations." You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "Ideally, PM10 levels at construction sites should remain below 60, and first, some sites showed PM10 levels as high as 300, prompting us to instruct developers to take action," he said. The official added, "In recent months, some construction sites have reported unusually low PM10 levels, suggesting sensor tampering. Specifically, some sites have been found wrapping wet cloths around sensors to manipulate the readings, but catching this is challenging. Efforts are underway to prevent such tampering." The rules from 2023 also include mandatory barricades and sufficient height screens around ongoing construction sites, covering loose materials, and spraying water to prevent dust from rising. Proper paving of roads at construction sites have been ordered, and measures to prevent mud or nuisance from vehicle tyres are emphasised. The rules include instructions to ensure vehicle wheel cleaning and to prevent damage to roads or sidewalks by heavy vehicles. Debris disposal at designated collection centres has also been mandated. Recently, AMC announced that its Air Quality Management Cell is developing a software for complaint management as the city lacks a separate system to address air pollution complaints. In June, AMC's standing commitee extended the term of the agency it had hired to consult on air pollution by another year. The new term now ends on April 30, 2026.
News18
2 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
Delhi govt to invite innovative ideas for retrofitting BS-IV trucks
Agency: PTI Last Updated: New Delhi, Jul 22 (PTI) In view of the approaching ban on the entry of BS-IV trucks in the national capital, the Delhi government is going to invite innovative ideas for retrofitting of these vehicles to meet BS-VI standards, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday. The minister has directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to hold an innovation challenge to find technological solutions to the issue. The challenge will also involve finding solutions for reducing emissions of BS-IV compliant vehicles. 'The Innovation Challenge will be focused on identifying and promoting low-cost, easy-to-maintain and effective technological solutions capable of reducing/absorbing PM2.5 and PM10 emissions (of at least twice the amount emitted) from BS-IV vehicles operating," the minister said. PM2.5 are fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, about the width of a human hair. These are so small that they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. On the other hand, PM10 are coarser particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less, about the width of 10 human hairs. While not as concerning as PM2.5, these can still irritate the airways and worsen respiratory problems. The government will also hold a competition inviting innovation for retrofitting of BS-IV trucks to meet BS VI standards, he said. From November 1, only BS-VI (Bharat Stage 6), CNG or EV commercial vehicles will be allowed to enter the city. 'If commercial vehicles won't be allowed to enter Delhi, it would lead to a crisis. We will hold this challenge to invite solutions for retrofitting of BS-IV trucks," he added. The Bharat stage emission standards are standards instituted by the government to regulate the output of air pollutants from motor vehicles. The innovation challenge will be held in three stages — in the first stage, the proposal will be evaluated on the basis of paper submitted; the second stage will be focussed on carrying out an exhaustive study of the proposal following which Rs five lakh will be given for testing the technology. The certification will be given by The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), officials said. PTI SLB SLB KSS KSS view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Chennai sees a modest 12 per cent reduction in pollution levels, yet lags in NCAP targets
CHENNAI: Chennai has witnessed only a 'modest' improvement in air quality despite being part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in 2019. According to the data presented by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Lok Sabha, the average concentration of PM10 levels in Chennai dropped by 12.1% in the year 2024-25 compared to 2017-18 --far below the reductions achieved by other major cities like Mumbai (44%), Kolkata (37%), and even Delhi (15.8%). The city's annual average PM10 concentration was reduced from 66 µg/m3 (microgram per cubic meter) in 2017-18 to 58 µg/m3 in 2024-25. While this places Chennai closer to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 60 µg/m3, experts say the progress is incremental and insufficient given the scale of urbanisation, traffic congestion, and construction activity. 'The figures may look acceptable on paper, but the health impact remains tangible. We continue to see rising respiratory cases in urban centres like Chennai,' a senior pulmonologist at the Government General Hospital, told TNIE.
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
New network of air pollution monitors launches near Palisades fire
LOS ANGELES — UCLA researchers have launched 20 new air pollution monitors across northwest Los Angeles County to better understand how much fine ash and coarse dust are being kicked up in the Palisades fire burn area as reconstruction advances. The network stretches from Topanga State Park through Brentwood and Santa Monica, updating every five to ten minutes on an online map. 'We heard clear community needs — real-time data, user-friendly design, and granular neighborhood coverage,' said Yifang Zhu, a professor in the UCLA Department of Environmental Health Sciences and director of the project. Zhu had seen that Caltech had put up a similar network for areas affected by the Eaton fire. The new sensors track airborne particulate matter — a complex mix of substances such as soil, dust, and metals — in two main sizes: fine, PM 2.5, no larger than 2.5 microns, or roughly 1/30 the width of a human hair, and coarser particles, PM 10, roughly the size of a cotton fiber. All are small enough to be inhaled into the nose, throat, and upper airways and can cause a wide range of health issues. PM 2.5 is linked to asthma attacks, premature death as well as acute and chronic bronchitis. Although less studied, PM 10 has been tied to adverse health effects, especially among infants, children, and older people who have lung or heart conditions. The public already can see real-time air pollution levels on several websites, including those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Purple Air and IQAir. The problem, researchers say, is that these often do not track the larger PM 10 particles, the kind more likely to be kicked up into the air by construction. 'The January wildfires were massive and they highlighted gaps that we in the air pollution science community knew about, but the larger community wasn't necessarily aware of,' said Rima Habre, an associate professor of environmental health sciences at USC and collaborator on the project. After the fires, people were looking at air quality readings from the existing network, and couldn't tell how much of the dirty air was due to the larger particles. The new network, known as CAP AIR, was designed to provide hyperlocal and real-time data. The dashboard is color coded from green for good air to dark red for hazardous air to help residents quickly interpret the risk. 'You can see PM 10 levels spike if trucks are hauling debris nearby, and wait until they drop again to go out and jog along the road,' Habre said. Bill Magavern, policy director of the Coalition for Clean Air, pointed out that California has the worst air in the country. 'It's important for people to know how much particle pollution they're being exposed to. So we strongly support expanded monitoring and making the information available as widely as possible so people can make informed decisions about when and if they spend a long time outside, when they're doing strenuous activities like exercising, when they might want to not have their children be outside playing.' Residents can also sign up for email updates when sensors near their home show particle levels surge. 'Sometimes people are anxious or scared about what's going on — it's just because of a lack of information,' Zhu said. 'Now, this network can provide that information.'
