MUMBAI: Low wind speed, low temperature and high humidity along with vehicular pollution proved a “lethal combination” for Colaba on Monday, according to air pollution experts.
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The city’s southernmost point recorded air quality worse than even Delhi’s at a time when the capital is reeling under severe air pollution.
According to SAFAR, a system of air quality and weather forecasting and research developed by Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Colaba had an AQI (air quality index) of 345; the maximum registered in Delhi on Monday was 331. A few days ago Delhi had set a record for pollution with AQI dipping to 471, a “severe” level that affects even healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.
Usually, the strong wind blowing in from the sea over peninsular Mumbai saves it from the severe effects of air pollution.
However, Ronak Sutaria, founder of the Respirer Living sciences, which deals in air quality monitoring, said Colaba also experiences emissions from vehicles and smaller ships.
Air quality in Mazgaon, BKC, Malad ‘very poor’ on Monday
The eastern coast right up to Mazgaon has cargo and cruise ships, boats, catamarans and fishermen trawlers operating day and night.
Dr Gufran Beig, founder and project director of Safar, said natural factors such as low temperature, low wind speed and high humidity had combined to keep more particulate matter suspended in air over Colaba, resulting in their concentration at higher levels. "This exactly happens in Colaba and is a feature observed here through our monitor during winter," he added.
AQI at Mazgaon (325), BKC (314) and Malad (306) too remained within the 'very poor' category and was closer to Delhi’s level. AQI of 301-400 is rated 'very poor' which means it can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
Andheri at 259 was in the ‘poor quality’ category. Chembur too shows up in these categories, but its air quality remained within 'moderate' limits on Monday. A moderate AQI (101-200) can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.
Saurabh Mahurkar, resident of Venus apartments at Cuffe Parade, said he and his family have been experiencing high humidity and breathing discomfort since the past few days though temperatures were low. According to him, even the wind speed was down.
While BKC, Andheri, Mulund and Ghatkopar are seen to face the brunt of vehicle pollution, Chembur experiences emissions from the Deonar incinerator, oil, gas, and chemical refineries besides power stations.
In Mumbai, it is the wind that disperses polluted air which remains stagnant due to humidity. This also prevents temperatures from going up. "Had Mumbai not been abutting the coast, AQIs could have been worse than in Delhi," said Beig.
According to Ronak Sutaria, founder of the Respirer Living sciences, to ensure breezy conditions and to keep humidity at bay, citizens should strive to reduce the urban heat-island effect. "Buildings should avoid using glass and adopt eco-friendly materials. Citizens should go densely green by planting more and more trees so that the moisture is absorbed," he added.
Smoke from vehicles, garbage-burning and industries and construction dust are also factors which cause deterioration in air quality.
