CHENNAI: Those planning to burn waste material on Monday, Bhogi , beware. Beginning Sunday evening, teams comprising Pollution Control Board officials and police will patrol the 15 zones, looking for people fouling the air. The drive will continue till the evening of Monday.TNPCB chairman Shambu Kallolikar said 30 vehicles will traverse the city roads and the violators will be severely punished. The TNPCB will conduct an ambient air quality survey across the city over a 24-hour period and compile a report that will be uploaded on its website.Last year, high humidity levels coupled with low temperature and low wind speed ensured that the pollutants were not dispersed resulting in higher value of particulate matter. The PM 10 level ranged between 135 micrograms per cubic meter and 386 micrograms per cubic meter, against the prescribed 100 micrograms per cubic meter. Long term exposure to particulate pollution will result in significant health problems, including irritation of nasal airways, coughing or difficulty in breathing and decreased lung function, he said.Besides, a bonfire of waste allied with high humidity and low temperature can cause smog that will reduce visibility for motorists as well as flight operations. Last year, severe smog forced the authorities to divert16 flights, including 9 international services, to Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Coimbatore.

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