Hey Pune, hold on to your masks because the air quality in your city is not looking too great. According to a recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), ground-level ozone levels have shot up by a whopping 500% compared to 2023. Yikes! Pune now ranks as the third most polluted city among ten surveyed in India. So, what’s the deal with ground-level ozone and why should we care?
Well, this hazardous gas is a byproduct of vehicular pollution and can wreak havoc on our health. Think severe respiratory and cardiovascular issues, folks. Experts are warning that even a short exposure to this toxic gas can lead to some serious health problems. And if you’re exposed to it for 24 hours straight, things could get fatal, especially for vulnerable populations. Scary stuff, right?
But how does ground-level ozone even form? It’s all about those chemical reactions between nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from vehicle emissions, combustion by-products, and good ol’ sunlight. While ozone in the stratosphere does us a favor by protecting us from harmful UV rays, ground-level ozone is a whole different ball game. This stuff is bad news for human health and the environment, especially in places with heavy traffic. And guess what? It loves to hang out in green spaces too.
Dr. Sundeep Salvi, the Director of Pulmocare Research and Education Foundation, explained that the spike in ozone levels this summer is linked to rising temperatures and more vehicle emissions. In fact, the study found that places like Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) are facing pockets of high ozone concentrations. Not good news for those living and working in these areas.
So, what can we do about it? Well, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is making efforts to combat pollution by promoting cleaner transport options like CNG, electric buses, and Metro services. But with more vehicles hitting the road and temperatures soaring, it’s an uphill battle. The study identified SPPU as the most affected area, with ozone levels exceeding safe limits for a whopping 119 days this year. Ouch.
Air pollution activist Hema Chari Madabhushi is calling for immediate action to address this alarming situation. She stresses the importance of improving public transportation and enforcing stricter pollution controls to tackle this issue head-on. Let’s hope Pune can clean up its act and breathe a little easier soon.
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