Bangalore might be called an “air-conditioned city” but its residents are now choking on the most deadly form of air pollution. The respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) level is over four times the national permissible limit in certain areas of the city.
While the permissible limit for RSPM is 60 microgram per cubic metre, the most recent records with the Karnataka Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) reveal that this pollutant was as high as 264 microgram/cubic metre at the AMCO Batteries area on Mysore Road. Even the sensitive area of Victoria Hospital recorded RSPM level of 164 microgram/cubic metre.
The KSPCB monitored air quality in 15 locations across Bangalore — covering industrial area, mixed urban area and sensitive areas (such as hospitals and educational institutions). With the exception of two locations, RSPM level consistently exceeded the permissible limit over the last year. The Central Silk Board area on Hosur Road exceeded the national limit by 191 per cent during this period.
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H. Paramesh, paediatric pulmonologist at Lakeside Hospital, said that among all air pollutants, the RSPM was the worst kind as the particulate was extremely minute (usually about 2.5 microns) and could easily enter the body. “The particulate matter causes inflammation in various parts of the body, triggers asthma, leads to oxygen deficiency and cardio-respiratory diseases,” he said.
Recently, the Karnataka High Court came down on the KSPCB for the rising levels of air pollution in the city leading to respiratory problems among many residents.
According to KSPCB sources, the transport sector is the highest contributor to the rising levels of air pollution (nearly 44 per cent). A recent inspection conducted by the Transport Department revealed that nine of the 12 emission testing centres owned by the Bangalore Metropolitan transport Corporation were “defective”.
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The other causes for air pollution are suspension of road dust (20 per cent), industrial activity (14 per cent), construction activities (14 per cent) and diesel generator sets being used for commercial purposes (7 per cent).
However, the levels of other pollutants — sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide — were found to be within the permissible standards of 50 microgram/cubic metre and 40 microgram/cubic metre respectively.