THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Pollution Control Board and the Center for Environmental Studies have reported that the atmosphere in the cities which improved during the lockdown is once again making life miserable through pollution. Kollam and Kozhikode are leading in air pollution. Thiruvananthapuram, once a relatively prosperous city, is also moving towards pollution

While the situation is not bad like that of Delhi, it is not optimistic. The pollution index in Delhi is 342 points.

At lockdown, all the cities in the state were at the top of the air pollution index. That is, the air quality index was below 50 points.

When checking the purity and quality of the air, good air is up to 50 points. Satisfactory up to 92 points. If more than this, it will seriously affect the lives of the people. Air pollution levels are recorded at air quality monitoring stations installed in cities.

Excessive traffic congestion is the main cause of pollution in the state. Especially diesel freight vehicles. The second is construction activities. Silica powder is the main air pollutant. Then there is the black carbon and nitrogen dioxide produced by the combustion of diesel. Burning plastic is another problem. It occurs in export companies, factories and the packaging industry.

Air pollution in Kerala

(Prepared by Pollution Control Board)

Kozhikode 113

Kollam 104

Kochi 91

Thiruvananthapuram82

Alappuzha82

Thrissur75

Risk level is 92 and above

Air pollutants

Silica Dust

Nitrogen dioxide

Sulfur dioxide

Black carbon

Benzene formaldehyde

Pollution leads to

Lung diseases such as asthma

Cancer