NO2 levels in city's air three times higher than safe limits
Data from the Gwal Pahari air quality monitoring station showed that average NO2 for eight hours was 133µg/m³ on Thursday and 123µg/m³ on Friday. In India, the safe limit for exposure to NO2 is 40µg/m³. The maximum concentration considered safe by the World Health Organization is even lower, at 25 µg/m³.
Experts said emissions from vehicles, especially in congested areas, is likely to be the key reason for NO2 pollution.
They said NO2 does not get as much regulatory attention as other pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), though it is associated with exacerbating respiratory ailments.
Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said on Friday, "Elevated NO₂ levels in the city are predominantly due to vehicular emissions. Old vehicles and traffic congestion are key sources of NO2 here."
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Asked about action taken to reduce NO2 emissions, an official of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) said the agency has allowed a private firm to scrap old vehicles. "This aims to remove polluting vehicles from city roads," the official said.
A senior HSPCB official said NO2 levels are likely to have spiked after brief relief due to pre-monsoon showers.
"The recent rains had kept nitrogen dioxide levels in check by dispersing pollutants.
But with clear skies and calmer weather now, NO2 from vehicular and industrial emissions is building up, especially in traffic-dense areas. Unlike particulate matter, NO2 often flies under the radar, but prolonged exposure can be equally hazardous," the official said. Currently, just one of the four air quality monitoring stations is functioning in the city.
Dr Bandana Mishra, who heads the pulmonology and respiratory medicine department at Manipal Hospital in Gurgaon said everyone is at risk from high NO2 exposure, but children and the elderly suffer the most.
"Nitrogen dioxide exposure can lead to increased inflammation of the airways, which results in persistent cough wheezing, reduced lung function and a higher frequency of asthma attacks," Dr Mishra said.
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