Staying at home to avoid pollution does not help. About 34% of the city’s residents, who spend more time at home and office than out on the road, suffer from respiratory problems, including shortness of breath and asthma, revealed a study by the Hyderabad-based Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI).
While people who stayed home suffered from mild respiratory problems, those who worked in an office suffered from breathing in fine particle pollutants. This, despite the presence of air purifiers and air conditioners.
A similar study conducted in New Delhi by the Clean Air Movement this year had, alarmingly, yielded the same results.
Environmentalists said the situation could be reversed by spending time at pollution-free, open-air spaces — be it parks or residential outing areas.
Weekly outings to conserved areas on the city’s outskirts could also help. “Your respiratory system will be more at ease if you take in fresh air. So, it is better to step out than stay indoors,” B. Kalyan Chakravarthy, director general of EPTRI, told The Hindu .
A quick connect to nature would help in the long run, he added.
As per EPTRI, a major source of air pollution in the city was re-suspended dust, which could enter homes as well. As per a survey by Green Peace in 2015, dust contributed 40% of the State’s PM-10 (particulate matter with 10 micro meters or less in diameter) concentration. Dust also contributed 31% of Telangana’s PM-2.5 or fine particle concentration. Vehicular pollution and industrial emission contributed 22% and 12% of PM-10 concentration.
Pollution levels
Hyderabad, among other cities in Telangana, has not been an ideal locale for respiratory health. Real Time Air Quality Index in several parts of Hyderabad, even on World Environment Day on Monday, was above National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
While industrial development area, Pashamylaram, recorded PM 2.5 count of 72 micrograms, Zoo Park, Bahadurpura West, U.S. Consulate, and Sanath Nagar recorded fine particle concentration of 80, 91 and 96 micrograms respectively.
The air quality in these areas ranged between satisfactory (when discomfort is felt by people sensitive to even mild levels of air irritants) and moderate (when people with lung and heart diseases, children, and the elderly feel discomfort while breathing). The fine particles are the smallest and most harmful air pollutants.
From January to April this year, the Monthly Air Quality Index of various areas in the city ranged between a minimum of 75 (satisfactory – KBR Park) and 203 (poor – Zoo Park).
