Puducherry records ‘very poor’ air quality on Deepavali day

PUDUCHERRY The air quality data analysed by the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee for Deepavali day showed a significant increase in particulate matter PM (10) and PM (2.5) due to bursting of crackers. The air quality data from Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring station located at Jawahar Nagar revealed that the concentration of PM 10 was 216 ug/m3 and PM 2.5 was 191 ug/m3. These concentrations were considered above the prescribed standard limit of 100 ug/m3 and 60 ug/m3.

However, the concentration of gaseous pollutants SO2 and NO2 were found to be within the prescribed standard limit of 80 ug/m3, a release said.. “During the pre-Deepavali day in 2025 and 2026, the air quality fell under good category, whereas on the festival day, it fell under ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of PM10 and PM 2.5 on Deepavali day were higher than those observed during the pre-festival days,” the release said.

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