Mumbai: ‘Air worse than Delhi’s; why weren’t we warned?’

The state government and the BMC are facing criticism for failing to alert Mumbaikars about the deteriorating air quality which is known to impact health especially of those suffering from respiratory issues Mumbairsquos overall air quality index AQI was 269 poor on Friday slightly lower than 315 very poor on Thursday The AQI was 306 309 and 300 on December 5 6 and 7 respectivelyOrganisations across the state have been demanding public health advisories on air quality so that vulnerable groups are protected from severe impacts of air pollution on their health When the AQI breached the 500mark on January 24January 25 and was over 300 during the first week of February activist Sumaira Abdulali wrote to BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal demanding health advisories when air pollution levels exceed safe limitsPeople cover their face for protection against dust from the roadwork in Aarey Colony on FridayldquoIn January and February the air quality deteriorated in the city and the neighbouring states and this was attributed to two dust storms that originated in the Middle East Afghanistan Pakistan and surrounding regions that had brought dust and haze to northwestern Maharashtra Gujarat and Rajasthan It however cannot be dismissed as oneoff events since poor air quality and its impact on health has become a significant concern for Mumbai not just during winter but throughout the year I have been urging the BMC to issue health advisories but it has failed to take the matter seriouslyrdquo said Abdulali also the convenor of Awaaz FoundationAlso Read Tackling the myth of pollutionAlert pleaseSenior scientist Gufran Beig founder and project director of System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research SAFAR has also been urging the state government and urban local bodies to start issuing health advisories and alerts on days the air quality is badEvery municipal body in the 132 cities found to have poor air quality is required to put out an alert in such cases the Centrersquos National Clean Air Programme NCAP stipulates The plan for AQI forecasting and sending health alerts will raise public awareness which will ultimately result in a reduction in health risk activists sayA thick layer of dust covers Aarey Colony where BMC carries out roadwork on Friday PicsSameer MarkandeDespite geographical advantages and favourable meteorology air pollution is rapidly becoming a matter of concern in Maharashtra especially in Mumbai Over the past two weeks AQI has been in poor to very poor categoriesImpact on brain organsSeveral studies have already shown the impact of air pollution on not only respiratory organs but also brain and reproductive organs Last year a first panIndia study conducted by scientists from four institutes found a direct correlation between air pollution and health The study stated that areas with poor air quality and higher emissions of particulate matter PM 25 are more likely to have COVID19 infections and related deathsAbdulali said ldquoMumbai is one of Maharashtrarsquos 18 nonattainment cities A nonattainment city is one that does not fulfil the Union Environment Ministryrsquos stipulated air quality requirementsTransportation accounts for 305 per cent of Mumbairsquos air pollution which makes it the cityrsquos most significant source of pollution followed by industries and the power sector 1837 domestic burning or garbage burning 1537 and windblown pollutants 1537 which has a significant impact on construction dustrdquoCitizens slam BMCActor Dia Mirza took to Twitter to raise her concern about deteriorating air quality in the city ldquoChildren are practising their sports day march past The AQI is very poor and the health advisory is to avoid extended outdoor exposure Are the schools in Mumbai receiving any advisoryguidelines to avoid exposure to toxic airrdquo she wrote on TuesdayA Twitter user t__m_a_y on Friday evening said ldquoMumbai AQI Air in Indiarsquos financial capital getting worse than smogfilled Delhirdquo Another user Mitali Khisa nirbanch wrote ldquoMumbai surpasses smogfilled Delhi in declining air quality Check AQI details precautions to take against air pollutionrdquoldquoMumbairsquos air quality is worse than that of Delhi despite being the coastal city On Friday morning PM25 level was 308 compared to Delhirsquos 259rdquo tweeted AdbaleRahulAQI on FridayMumbai overall 269 PoorMalad 307 very poorMazagon 350 very poorWorli 159 moderateChembur 322 very poorBKC 266 poorAndheri 218 poorBorivali 169 moderateColaba 245 poorBhandup 232 poor269Cityrsquos overall AQI on Friday307AQI very poor in Malad on Friday350AQI in Mazagaon very poor on Friday322AQI in Chembur very poor on Friday245In Colaba poor Normal AQI 050