DO YOU KNOW THE POLLUTION LEVELS IN CHENNAI AND WHAT WE INHALE DAILY - DO WE care really

Come winter, the trend which increases is sneezing and wheezing with increasing pollution levels - contribution vehicular emissions, buring of waste oil, construction debris et al

The dip in temperature combined with moisture in the air forms a thick layer of smog [smoke from vehicles trapped in fog]. According to TNPCB the higest respiratory suspended particulate mtaerial [RSPM] is witnessed at Vallalar Nagar [119] followed closely by T Nagar [104] which are above the permissible level of 100.

Both these areas show a higiher value as they have a very fair amount of commercial activity besides being densely populated.

RSPM is formed due to emissions from vehicles and burning of industrial waste, construction debirsw and is easily inhaled by human beings. However it was pointed out that in Chennai, vehicekle emissions are the major contribution to RSPM as njo major industry is in the city or its suburbs.


December is always saddled with increased RSPM levels as cold air ie heavy and settles down ina thick layer close to teh ground Since thre exits lots of moisture the smoke let out by automobiles get stuck in this cold layer. Hence, what we have is a thick layer of air mixed with nitrogen, sulphur dioxide as also dust particles hovering just above the ground This poses problems specifically during the wee hours and late night when the temperature dips and remains at lower levels, for both motorist and pedestrians alike.

An alarming repor tis that we have reached the fourth place from twelfth on respiratory problems whose result is sometimes fatal too. This attacks all ages and if found one in every eight person. Children more specifically are prone to asthma and bronchitis. What do we do to reduce the RSPM.


HOW DO WE COMBAT THIS DANGER
Every one of us can venture - YOU CAN DEFINITELY DO THIS BIT - to contribute to combat this by

- usage of vehicles only when necessary
- combine transport amngst friend where use one vehicle for a few to stroll around
- judicious burning - if not avoided - of oil based material
- wrap round construction sites to cumulate debris particles than letting in air
- avoid felling of trees
- encourage planting of trees

ARE WE GAME TO GO WITH THE MANTRA 'GO GREEN' TO SAVE THE PLANET AND THE HUMAN BEEINGS TOO IN IT