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Air pollution

Diwali Pollution: Ahmedabad's Air Quality Reaches Toxic Levels, Exceeding WHO Standards by 10 Times

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The festivities of Diwali turned into a toxic nightmare for Ahmedabad as the city's air quality reached alarming levels, exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards by 10 times. On Diwali night, the air was filled with acrid smoke, making it difficult for motorists to drive due to heavy smog, while the PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Ahmedabad reached 156 g/m3 and 207 g/m3, respectively, in the 24-hour period between 4 pm on October 20 and 4 pm on October 21.

Key Takeaways:

  • The air quality in Ahmedabad reached toxic levels during Diwali, with PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO's recommended limit of 15 g/m3 by 10 times, reaching 156 g/m3.
  • The highest PM2.5 levels were recorded at Maninagar (192) and Chandkheda (184) in the 24-hour period between 4 pm on October 20 and 4 pm on October 21.
  • PM10 levels in Ahmedabad reached 207 g/m3, exceeding the WHO's recommended limit of 45 g/m3 by 4.6 times.
  • The highest PM10 levels were recorded at Maninagar (310) and Bopal (237) in the 24-hour period between 4 pm on October 20 and 4 pm on October 21.
  • The situation was worse in the eight hours between 8 pm on October 20 and 4 am on October 21, with PM2.5 levels reaching 241 g/m3 and PM10 levels reaching 380 g/m3.
  • The emergency ambulance service GVK-EMRI reported only slightly higher calls during Diwali, but experts attributes this to the fact that only the most critical patients go to hospitals by ambulance, while others with respiratory issues visit their doctors by themselves.
  • Medical experts predict a rise in the number of patients with viral infections a week after Diwali due to the aftermath of pollution.

Statistics:

  • PM2.5 levels in Ahmedabad reached 156 g/m3 in the 24-hour period between 4 pm on October 20 and 4 pm on October 21.
  • PM10 levels in Ahmedabad reached 207 g/m3 in the 24-hour period between 4 pm on October 20 and 4 pm on October 21.
  • The highest PM2.5 levels were recorded at Maninagar (192) and Chandkheda (184) in the 24-hour period between 4 pm on October 20 and 4 pm on October 21.
  • The highest PM10 levels were recorded at Maninagar (310) and Bopal (237) in the 24-hour period between 4 pm on October 20 and 4 pm on October 21.
  • The average PM2.5 levels from seven stations for the time between 8 pm and 12 am on October 20 night was 241 g/m3.
  • The average PM10 levels from seven stations for the time between 8 pm and 12 am on October 20 night was 380 g/m3.

Sources:

  • The Indian Express (P) Ltd (October 22, 2022)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  • National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)
  • Centre for Environment Education (CEE) Ahmedabad
  • ICMR-NIOH Ahmedabad
  • Apollo Hospital
  • GVK-EMRI ambulance service

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