A new study by Greenpeace India reveals that pollution levels in Mysuru, along with Bengaluru and eight other South Indian cities, are 4-10 times higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. The “Spare the Air” report analyzed air quality in ten cities, including major hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam, classified as non-attainment cities under the National Clean Air Programme.
Mysuru, Puducherry, Amaravati, Kochi, and Mangaluru were also studied. The report compared pollution levels with WHO guidelines from 2021 and the more lenient National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). For instance, the WHO recommends a maximum annual average of 5 micrograms per cubic meter for PM 2.5 particles, which pose serious health risks, while NAAQS permits up to 40 micrograms per cubic meter. Similarly, WHO sets PM 10 particle levels at 15 micrograms per cubic meter, whereas NAAQS allows 60 micrograms.
Data from January to December 2023 showed that PM 10 levels in Mysuru, Bengaluru, and Puducherry were 4-5 times higher than WHO’s guidelines. Visakhapatnam’s levels were nine times higher, while cities like Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Mangaluru saw levels 6-7 times above the limit. Bengaluru’s pollution monitoring indicated that PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels exceeded both WHO and NAAQS standards at many locations.
Lead researcher Akanksha Singh stressed the need for region-specific air quality standards and a health-based approach to safeguard public health.
Read More:
MCD Seals Four Illegal Jeans Dyeing Factories in Najafgarh for Pollution Violations
Delhi Minister Pushes for Cloud Seeding to Fight Winter Pollution
