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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | As Delhi sizzled, ozone reached alarming level -Neha Lalchandani

As Delhi sizzled, ozone reached alarming level -Neha Lalchandani

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published Published on Jun 3, 2013   modified Modified on Jun 3, 2013
-The Times of India


NEW DELHI: The prolonged heatwave in Delhi since May 18 not only saw extremely high temperatures ranging between 44 and 46 degrees but also led to the development of a dangerous pollutant that has become an annual feature in the capital lately. In the last week of May, levels of ozone saw a massive increase with a similar rise in levels of particulate matter making it worse.

Institute of Indian Tropical Meteorology's monitoring in the city revealed that the levels of both the particles crossed the national standards and were in the 'moderate to poor' category under the national ambient air quality standards.

"The ozone levels were found to be the highest on May 31 at 122 parts per billion. The one hour average went up to 150 ppb around 2pm on that day, a time when ozone usually peaks for the day," said Dr Gufran Beig, programme director, SAFAR, IITM Pune. Ozone is formed when sunlight acts upon oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds. This is why levels rise during summer.

"Our models have indicated a fall in ozone levels in the city from Saturday. Monday will also see a fall though levels will continue to remain around 80 ppb in the moderate category. This will make it dangerous for old people and children," added Beig.

Dr Beig said Delhi is witnessing an increase in volatile organic compounds (VOC) like benzene, toluene and xylene. "The combination of pollutants like NOx and ozone with high temperature of 44 degrees Celsius and above is a deadly combination. Sunlight speeds up ozone production. Hydrocarbons are not only emitted by human activities like transport related combustion, fuel evaporation, solvent use and chemical manufacturing but also from natural sources like terrestrial vegetation and soil. Ground with vegetation is usually moist but in this heat, it had dried up leading to natural emission of VOCs. So, ozone is high in relatively greener areas like New Rajendra Nagar and Buddha Garden," said IITM officials.

Dr Sunil Peshin, deputy director general of meteorology at IMD said exposure to high levels of ozone affects not only health but also damages vegetation and ecosystems. "Ground level ozone can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs," said Peshin.


The Times of India, 3 June, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/As-Delhi-sizzled-ozone-reached-alarming-level/articleshow/20402534.cms


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