A study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed dangerous concentrations of PM10 in Mumbai’s air. The study was conducted among 24 peninsular cities of the country with Mumbai, unfortunately, ranking first.
As per the report, the air in Mumbai had PM10 concentrations of 166 microgrammes per cubic metre (denoted by µg/m3). This is considered highly toxic and up to three times the safe standard of 60 µg/m3.
As per Mumbai’s climatic zone classification (warm and humid), the recommended concentration is 83 µg/m3.A separate study has found that between 2007 and 2018, Mumbai’s PM10 levels have grown by 80%. It’s worth pointing out that the PM10 in the city in 2018 was also its highest in 20 years. While it was long believed that the sea breeze will eventually take away the pollutants, this clearly isn’t the case going by the statistics from the past few years. What’s more concerning is the fact that the authorities do not appear to have a robust plan in place to combat this growing menace.
While Maharashtra’s state pollution body put in suggestions to tackle pollution, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) rejected them. However, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) was quick to revise its plans and include ideas like the creation of green buffer zones in industrial and commercial areas, as well as discouraging the use of pollutant-fuel for public transport while boosting the use of solar energy within the city.
However, it seems like the issue cannot fully resolve itself without curbing the biggest contributor i.e. open burning. The majority of bakeries in Mumbai still rely on wood and charcoal, which accounts for up to 16% of the overall PM10 accumulation in the city, while open burning contributes to 30% of the PM10 in Mumbai.
The National Clean Air Program (NCAP) has set a goal to reduce PM10 concentrations in the city by 20-30% by 2024, which may be inadequate since experts believe that it needs to be cut down by at least 60% to maintain a safe breathing environment for Mumbai’s residents.