City pollution levels drop by 15.6% on Less Traffic Day: KSPCB

The second instalment of 'The Less Traffic Day' observed on March 11 did make a difference, according to the data collected by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board's (KSPCB).

The report shows that the city's air was 15.6% lesser polluted on the day.

The event was organised on Sunday by KSPCB, police and transport departments. The KSPCB monitored the ambient air quality at seven continuous monitoring stations and it was observed that there was an overall reduction in air pollution, said an official release.

There was a decrease in particulate matter (PM10) levels at various locations in the city– Jayanagar by 15%, Mysuru Road by 6%, at Nimhans by 7%, Central Silk Board and Hosur Road by 6%, SG Halli by 19% and City railway station by 16%.

The KSPCB compared the data of March 11 to that of January 21, 28 and February 4. It also measured and compared the levels of carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the atmosphere.

The standard PM10 value set by central pollution control board is 100 ug/m3. The standard CO value is 2 mg/m3, SO2 is 80 ug/m3 and NO2 is 80 ug/m3.

However, the board observed that there was an increase in PM10 at the Veterinary College in Hebbal by 13%. On March 11, the PM10 was 119 milligram per metre cube (ug/m3) against the average of other Sundays of 105.3 ug/m3.

Additionally, there was a 17% increase in the level of NO2 at Veterinary College in Hebbal. There was also a rise in SO2 levels at Jayanagar by 1% and at Nimhans by 24%.