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Diwali 2024: Mumbai Records Moderate Air Quality As Pollution Level Spikes in City

Trend suggests that Mumbai’s air quality is getting closer to levels seen in Delhi, where pollution has reached dangerous levels.

Diwali 2024: Mumbai Records Moderate Air Quality As Pollution Level Spikes in City
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As Diwali approaches, a thick haze covered Mumbai's skyline on Thursday morning, October 31. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has dropped steadily throughout the week, with a “moderate” rating of 162 recorded at 8:30 am on Thursday, October 31. As per reports, experts have warned that the air quality may further deteriorate in the winter months. 

Trend suggests that Mumbai’s air quality is getting closer to levels seen in Delhi, where pollution has reached dangerous levels.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) data, the AQI in areas of Mumbai this morning:

Colaba: 122

Borivali East: 149

Kurla: 122

Navi Mumbai: 151

Thane: 152

Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC): 205

Sewri: 274

Mindspace-Malad: 220

As far as harmful particulate matter levels are concerned, Kherwadi in Bandra East recorded the highest, far exceeding the CPCB’s safe limit. Other highly polluted locations include Navy Nagar in Colaba, BKC, and Deonar. 

The Waatavaran Environment Organization released a study showing PM2.5 levels exceeding the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) recommended limit in several areas. PM2.5 is a fine particulate matter that is harmful to respiratory health. 

Here is the PM2.5 data in µg/m³:

- 60+: Kherwadi (Bandra East), Navy Nagar (Colaba), Bandra Kurla Complex, Deonar

- 55 - 59: Byculla

- 50 - 54: Sewri, Mulund West

- 45 - 49: Chembur, Worli, Kandivali West, Malad West, Vile Parle West

- 40 - 44: Borivali East, Mindspace

- 35 - 39: Kula, Ghatkopar, Sion, Siddhant Nagar (Worli)

- 30 - 34: Powai, Kandivali East, Vasai West, Borivali West

- 25 - 29: Colaba

- 15 - 19: Khindipada (Bhandup West), Chhatrapati Shivaji Intl. Airport (T2)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already imposed restrictions on firecracker use during Diwali. Firecrackers can only be used before 10 p.m. to prevent a further rise in air pollution. The BMC has also deployed monitoring teams in each of Mumbai’s 26 municipal wards to keep a check on air quality guidelines and dust control measures. 

Over the past week, the BMC has issued several warnings to contractors in high-density construction areas, including Andheri and Bandra.

Environmental organizations are also raising awareness of the pollution problem. The Awaaz Foundation has monitored Diwali-related noise pollution for 15 years. This year, all 30 types of firecrackers tested met the legal noise limit of 125 dB. 

However, the foundation’s chemical analysis of firecrackers revealed concerning results. Harmful chemicals, such as sulfur, copper, and barium, were detected in all tested firecrackers. Burning these substances releases toxic particles, which add to air pollution and pose respiratory health risks.

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