Air & Noise pollution in the city within limits during Diwali : APD

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangluru, Nov 10, 2017: A scientific study of pollution conducted by the city based Anti-Pollution Drive (APD) Foundation has revealed that period covering Diwali was largely pollution free in Mangaluru. The study, which was conducted over four days covering pre and post Diwali period, has confirmed vehicular and industrial pollution as the larger threat to citizen’s health.

APD Foundation conducted the multi-location study in association with St. George’s Homeopathy. The samples for the study were collected at Alvares Road in Kadri, The Gokarnatheshwara Temple Dwara in Kudroli, Land Link Township in Konchady and Pai Compound in Urva Stores. The drive was carried out on four days starting from 16th & 17th October (days prior to Diwali), 18 October (day of Diwali) and 19 October (day after Diwali). ‘One Earth Enviro Labs’ a specialized laboratory was engaged for collecting the data and analysing the values.

This study had become significant after the apex court banning a few types of firecrackers keeping in view the noise and air pollution during Diwali. The results of the technical analysis reveal no significant increase in pollution during Diwali. “As seen from the values of both ambient air quality and noise levels the city in the test report, it appears that the city has celebrated Diwali in a responsible way and it could be much better in the coming years,” says Abdullah A. Rehman, Founder of APD Foundation.

He attributes different reasons for the positive result of the study. “This Diwali lot of people had taken an informed decision to avoid bursting firecrackers as we are coming to terms with its hazardous effect on our health and the environment. There is also the fact that Mangaluru being a coastal city, the sea breeze tends to neutralise some of the particulate matter in the ambient air quality segment,” he said.

This study was undertaken by APDF to also correlate its previous Shuddha Gaali study which was piloted to emphasize the contribution of transport pollution and smoke emitting vehicles. This research determines polluting vehicles still remain the maximum polluting factor in our community. Like how each Government is focusing on making our festivals safe, it should also focus on strict regulations on smoke emitting vehicles to control and reduce pollution.