Mangaluru joins Bengaluru in list of South Indian cities with alarming pollution levels

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sept 8, 2024: Mangaluru has joined the state capital and eight other cities in South India where pollution levels are 4-10 times higher than the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a new Greenpeace India study.

The report, titled "Spare the Air-2," raises serious health concerns as average levels of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM10 in 10 major cities across southern India far exceed WHO’s air quality guidelines.

The study analyzed air quality in Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, Mangaluru, Amravati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Puducherry.

The findings show that in cities like Mangaluru, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Kochi, Amaravati, and Chennai, annual average PM2.5 levels are six to seven times higher than WHO guidelines. Bengaluru, Puducherry, and Mysuru also have PM10 levels that exceed WHO standards by four to five times.

In Bengaluru, the monthly average PM2.5 levels are five to six times higher, and PM10 levels are 3 to 4.5 times higher than WHO’s annual guidelines throughout the year. Additionally, PM10 levels exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in February, March, April, October, November, and December.

The report also references a recent ’Lancet’ study, which indicates that even short-term exposure to PM2.5, at levels below current Indian standards, increases the risk of mortality in India.

"Clean air is essential for health, yet this report shows that particulate matter levels in all cities have surpassed WHO’s revised guidelines. While efforts are focused on cities not meeting NAAQS, it is crucial to also address cities that currently meet these standards," said Akanksha Singh, lead researcher of the report.

The report advocates for updated NAAQ standards that account for the unique pollution profiles and climatic conditions of South Indian cities and recommends increased investment in developing a hybrid air quality monitoring network to provide real-time public access to air quality information.