PUNE: As the fight against pollution gets increasingly focused on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), another set of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) is on the rise in the city, raising huge health concerns for the citizens already grappling for clean air.A new Pune pollution report compiled by the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on behalf of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for September and October this year showed elevated levels of NOx and PM10, particularly in the Swargate commercial zone.NOx is a collective term for nitrogen oxides, which are a group of highly reactive gases composed of nitrogen and oxygen atoms. According to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the permissible limit of NOx (24-hour average) in ambient air is 80 µg/m3. The primary source of this pollutant is vehicles.Continuous monitoring of NOx levels across Pune revealed that they consistently surpassed the prescribed NAAQS, with Swargate recording the highest number of violations – up to 40% of occasions.A significant increase in the number of vehicles and combustion process surpasses improvements in fuel quality and technology, thereby aggravating the concentration of PM10 and NOx, a senior MPCB official told TOI.Shashikant Nehul, a research scholar in the department of environment at SPPU, undertook the analysis for MPCB. He said, NOx concentrations in the last two decades (period September-October 2011-2022) had violated NAAQS standards only 4-5% of times in Pune. In the same period of 2023, its levels violated these standards on up to 20% of occasions at all the locations. In Swargate, on nearly 20% of occasions, NOx levels touched critical concentrations, much higher than permissible limit.He said, In Swargate, NOx levels went up to 350 µg/m3 in 20% of the occasions during the two months. If PM10 concentrations are considered in Swargate and Nal stop, the localities have faced the most critical levels of the pollutant during these months this year in comparison to the same period in the last couple of decades. Data shows that residential and commercial zones in Pune city are recording worst air quality in comparison to industrial and mixed zones during the last decade, primarily due to vehicular pollution and construction activities, including Metro works.We also published the following articles recentlyMumbai Air Pollution: MPCB issues notices to four concrete mixing plants for polluting airThe Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued notices to four ready mix concrete (RMC) plants in Mumbai for violating pollution norms. The plants have been asked to explain why they have not complied with regulations such as installing dust collectors and running the plant only during daytime. Two of the plants have already received closure notices. The MPCB is conducting a survey of RMC plants in the city, as they are a significant source of air pollution. The board has also taken action against other companies, including Aegis Logistics and Sea Lord Containers, for dust pollution.Delhi pollution today: Air quality reaches severe levels againThe air quality in Delhi and its suburbs has reached severe levels once again due to the burning of paddy straw after the harvest in nearby states. The concentration of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, exceeded safe limits by seven to eight times and was 30 to 40 times higher than the WHO limit. Neighboring cities also experienced hazardous air quality. In response, the Delhi government has announced the return of the odd-even scheme and the suspension of in-person classes in schools. The pollution is expected to continue for the next five to six days.Nip in air, pollution affect capital air qualityBhubaneswar, known for its clean and green environment, is facing declining air quality as winter approaches. The citys air quality index (AQI) has been fluctuating between moderate and poor, with experts attributing this to colder temperatures, increased vehicular pollution, deforestation, and construction activities. With Diwali approaching, there are concerns that the AQI may worsen further. The average AQI levels have consistently remained within the moderate range, except on four days when it exceeded permissible limits. Experts emphasize the need to reduce point source emissions to address the issue.

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