Diwali night saw spike in pollution, but air quality better than last year in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: An air quality assessment conducted by the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research ( IITR ) in four localities of Lucknow Vikasnagar, Aliganj, Chowk, or Aminabadon Diwali night revealed that PM 2.5 concentrations in the city's air were almost five times higher than the permissible limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter, reaching 324 micrograms.

The PM 10 levels concentration was also recorded to be the third lowest in the past decade. The lowest PM 10 concentrations in 10 years were recorded in 2022 when PM 10 was 396 micrograms.

Then in 2015, PM 10 was 424 micrograms and now in 2024 PM 10 is 451 micrograms. Also as compared to last year, PM 10 has gone down from 464 micrograms to 451 micrograms.

Chowk was the most polluted locality, with an average PM 2.5 concentration recorded at 395 micrograms. It was followed by Aminabad (379), Vikasnagar (262), and Aliganj (261) micrograms, respectively.

On Diwali night, the level of PM 2.5 suddenly increased to 324 micrograms, representing an increase of 184% from 114 micrograms on the pre-Diwali night.

An air quality index ( AQI ) in the range of 201 to 300 is considered ‘poor,’ while an AQI between 301 and 400 is considered ‘very poor.’

In terms of PM 10 levels, Aminabad was the most polluted, with a PM 10 concentration recorded at 552 micrograms, followed by Chowk (485), Aliganj (397), and Vikasnagar (368) micrograms, respectively.

On Diwali night, the level of PM 10 suddenly increased to 451 micrograms, representing an increase of 108% from 217 micrograms on the pre-Diwali night.

“The high level of activities, particularly traffic and crowded markets, was observed until late at night, in addition to the burning of firecrackers, resulting in more emissions of air pollutants . Towards the end of Oct or the beginning of Nov, the winter season begins, leading to a drop in temperature and low wind speed, which also creates favourable conditions for higher air pollution,” said an IITR scientist.