Visakhapatnam: The air quality index (AQI) in several parts of Visakhapatnam, which remained over 240 throught Thursday due to bursting of crackers on the occasion of Diwali, crossed the 260 mark on Friday.
According to ‘Sameer’, an app that provides hourly updates of national AQI published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Visakhapatnam reported AQI index in the poor category on Thursday and Friday, while the pollution level was moderate in Chittoor, Tirupati, and satisfactory in Vijayawada city.
Last year (2023), the AQI in Vizag remained over 250 throughout the Diwali night and crossed the 300 mark, the next day. In 2020 and 2021, peak AQI didn’t cross the 130-mark post Diwali in Vizag city as most people refrained from celebrations.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, 401-450 is severe and above 450 is considered severe plus.
It is a common sight every year that pollution levels go up during Diwali and the day that follows. However, when compared to last year, several cities in the state recorded a decrease in the bursting of crackers this year.
While AQI in Vijayawada was above 90 on Diwali night, it crossed to 95 on Friday. In Tirupati, the AQI crossed 105 mark on Friday, in Chittoor, it was 120.
The maximum PM2.5 (prominent parameter) levels reached seven times the permissible daily limit on Thursday night in Vizag city, peaking to 454 at 11 pm. The safe limit for PM2.5 is 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The concentration of PM2.5- fine particles easily penetrate the respiratory system and pose health risks, particularly for children, elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Though authorities issued a directive that only green crackers will be allowed this Diwali, several traders sold normal crackers across the city, said Ganesh Kumar, a resident of Vizag.
V Laxman, a retail fireworks trader in Vizag city, said that green crackers that are free from barium salts, lithium, mercury, arsenic and lead were permitted for sale and use. Earlier, in cities like Vizag, people used to burst crackers till 11.30 pm on Diwali night. However, many people stopped bursting crackers in many parts of the city after 10 pm, he added.
