Pune: The city is congested with vehicles and renowned for the number of two-wheelers it has. With most of them off the streets due to the complete lockdown, the city is witnessing cleaner air and reduction in pollution levels. The new lockdown 6.0 has a significant impact on pollution also because of the fact that several factories are closed or have reduced their operations.
On the very first day of the lockdown which was on Tuesday, the pollution meter of PM 2.5 level fell to 30, which is considered very good for health.
The complete lockdown in the city has scores of vehicles from hitting the roads. So it is clear that the air level has changed from dangerous to good. During this period, the number of people suffering from various breathing diseases due to pollution has also decreased.
A pulmonologist and head of the Chest Research Foundation, Dr Sundeep Salvi said, "The carbon dioxide was turned off as vehicles were reduced. Those who have lung, heart disease, asthma, blood pressure, they will get clean air in these ten days. Otherwise, you don't get fresh air at other times. Utilise this lockdown by inhaling fresh air."
Further emphasising on the harmful effects of pollution, Dr Salvi added, "If 1 litre of petrol is required to drive a four-wheeler, then 1,700 litres of oxygen is required to burn that fuel. This means how much oxygen we use and how much we release harmful fumes into the air. If there is no oxygen, the vehicle will not start even with petrol."
Average air-quality (PM 2.5) in Pune
March 2020: 184
July 2020: 35
-
Air quality (PM 2.5)
0-50: Clean air
50-100: Satisfactory
100-300: Bad
