Precarious existence: Bhiwadi first, Pali third on air pollution list

Industrial town of the state Bhiwadi is catching attention for all the wrong reasons. The city has recorded the most polluted air across the country with Air Quality Index of 367. Included among the national capital region, the town of Bhiwadi was way ahead in air pollution in comparison to the national capital. Delhi is the second most polluted city with an index value of 281. 

Bhiwadi is known to be among the dangerously polluted cities and its standing at the top is no surprise while Pali at number three has been comparatively a new entry. Pali with the index value of 283 shares the spot with Noida. 

The air quality index is based on real time data of more than 20 pollutant contaminating air of over 60 most polluted cities. In Bhiwadi it was Particulate Matter (PM) 10 which was recorded to be the biggest contaminant at a unit of 418 (ug/m3) while PM 2.5 was also comparatively higher at 88  (ug/m3). The safe range for PM 10 and PM 2.5 is considered to be 100 and 60 respectively. Pali had PM 2.5 as the biggest contamination factor at level of 143 and PM 10 at 324. The index accordingly rates air quality in Bhiwadi as ‘very poor’ while that of Pali is rated ‘poor’. 

“As per the index values, air that can lead to respiratory illness on prolonged exposure is rated as ‘very poor’ while ‘poor’ quality air is one that causes breathing discomfort,” says an official at the pollution control board.

Other cities of the state to appear on the list includes Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Udaipur and were categorised as ‘moderate’ on the index. Even at moderate level, air pollution is known to cause breathing discomfort to people with respiratory issues.