As the heat and dust worsens the air pollution situation in Delhi, experts have warned that the levels of toxins have crossed a dangerous point. According to the MET (India Meteorological Department), toxic ozone levels have bounded over permissible limits in the country’s capital, with temperatures having gone above 40 degrees Celsius in the previous fortnight and resulted in severe heat waves.
Dust and air pollution have always been major problems for Delhi residents throughout the year and with summer still upon us, the heat is adding to the terrible weather situation. This is especially bad for those who suffer from health issues like asthma or allergies. The heat has brought on increasing levels of toxic ozone which was measured to be at its highest in 2015 during the last two weeks.
Until recently, Delhi’s troubles with air quality was centered on circulating particulates like smoke, dust or dirt. But with temperatures breaching the 40 degrees Celsius mark, a huge amount of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide led to increases in toxic surface ozone pollution. In some parts of the capital city, the surface ozone toxins (8 hour day average) were observed to touch 120 parts per billion (ppb), reports PTI.
Anything above 100 ppb is expected to damage mucous and respiratory tissues. 120 ppb is only rated as ‘poor’ in the Air Quality Index though, while 50 ppb is considered passable. The figures have been provided by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR) which comes under the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). Since the levels of nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide are highly variable, there were huge differences between the measures picked up by SAFAR stations across Delhi.
The worst ozone day in Delhi was on May 27. There will be little immediate respite to the air pollution situation since the MET has predicted dust and/or thunderstorms for May 30 too. Toxins and dust in the air can wreak havoc on the respiratory system. They can cause throat irritation, coughing, tightness or a burning feeling in the chest and so on.