New Delhi: Biomass burning and pollution particles formed through chemical reactions in the air were the biggest contributors to Delhi’s air pollution on Thursday, accounting for 25.4% each of the total pollution, according to estimates by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), PTI reported.
Pollution from vehicles was the third-largest contributor at 17%, while particles formed from chemical reactions involving substances such as nitrates, ammonia and sulphates accounted for 11.8%. Nitrates contributed 4.9%, ammonia 4.1% and sulphates 2.9%.
Burning of different materials contributed 10.7% to the pollution load, while firecrackers accounted for 7.1%. Burning of municipal waste, plastic and rubber contributed 1.5%. Dust and ash accounted for 0.9%, while industrial emissions contributed 0.2%.
Experts said some pollutants are formed when gases released into the atmosphere react with other substances. These pollutants can originate from industrial activities, petrol and diesel vehicles, and the burning of biomass.
Meanwhile, a thick haze covered Delhi on Thursday, reducing visibility and causing residents to complain of coughing, eye irritation and breathing difficulties. The worsening air quality highlighted the growing health concerns in the national capital.
Protests demanding clean air continued across the city as Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 350 on Thursday, compared with 313 on Wednesday. The reading placed the city in the ‘very poor’ category.
Of the 57 air quality monitoring stations that recorded data on Thursday, 10 reported ‘severe’ pollution levels, 42 recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, four were in the ‘poor’ category and one reported ‘moderate’ air quality.
An AQI reading between 201 and 300 is classified as ‘poor’, while readings between 301 and 400 fall under the ‘very poor’ category.
The share of firecrackers in Delhi’s pollution has declined sharply since Diwali. Firecrackers accounted for 71.1% of the pollution load on Monday and 29.8% on Tuesday. Their contribution fell to 7.4% on Wednesday and further to 7.1% on Thursday.
According to Delhi’s Decision Support System (DSS), pollution from the transport sector is expected to increase to 18.5% on Friday, making it the largest contributor to the city’s air pollution that day, according to PTI.
