Air pollution high in Mangaluru: study

A detailed study carried out under its 'Shudda Gaali' (clean breeze) project in association with St. George's Homeopathy, the city-based Anti-Pollution Drive Foundation has revealed that the air in Mangaluru is high in lead content and other pollutants above standard limits.
The technical report on the air quality levels in the city was submitted to Minister for Environment and Forests Minister B Ramanath Rai who is also Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge, APD foundation chief Abdullah A Rehman and state co-ordinator Arjun Rai said in a release here today.
The report contained results obtained from the study and they urged the minister to initiate remedial measures to curb air pollution.

APD Foundation had conducted the independent investigation of air quality of Mangaluru in December last.
The study was undertaken by technical experts from city-based One Earth Enviro Labs (OEL) and samples were collected from 12 key locations of the city for an 8-hour period from December 1 to 8.
The study was sponsored by St. George's Homoeopathy, Mangaluru and co-ordinated by Neil Zacharias, head (client and maketing) of the company.

The report reveals high lead content in air and bears borderline indications of approaching danger on other parameters.
Six outdoor air pollutants were measured in the drive including particulate matter, inhalable particles with diameters that are generally 10 micrometres and smaller and fine inhalable particles, with diameters generally 2.5 micrometres and smaller.

Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects. The other pollutants found are nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) besides lead.
As per the study,the pollutants have been found to exceed permissible limits in a few locations.
Though the study found the overall air quality to be good in some locations in the city, there are indications that it could worsen in the long run. Only timely action can prevent the city from sinking into adverse and irreversible condition in air quality, the study report said.