Kolkata: Even as Kolkata enjoys a brief cold spell, environmentalists have rung the alarm bell over the deteriorating condition of the ambient air following a surge in air pollution levels. Six out of seven continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) flashed light red around 7pm on Monday, indicating the air around it was in the ‘very poor’ category on the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale, ranging from 301 to 400.
The latest entrants into the ‘very poor’ AQI category include Rabindra Sadan, Salt Lake, and Victoria Memorial, joining Ballygunge, Fort William, and Jadavpur that turned red on Sunday. Only Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) continues to have a moderate AQI (101-200).
Scientists attribute the worsening air quality during winter to the phenomenon where colder temperatures near the ground prevent the upward movement of air, resulting in the trapping of pollutants at the surface. Unlike in summer, when warmer air disperses pollutants, winter conditions lead to the accumulation of harmful substances.
Mrinal Kanti Das, cardiologist and president of Asian Heart Society, issued a health advisory, urging residents to avoid prolonged exposure to the deteriorating air quality. He said that staying indoors is advisable as very poor air quality can trigger various health issues, including cardiovascular problems and respiratory illnesses. “In colder days, the heart overworks to push blood through shrunk arteries. The pollution works as a double whammy,” he added.
The unique geography and meteorology of the IGP, where wind is predominantly northwesterly, contribute to the movement of pollution towards the eastern IGP, affecting West Bengal and Bangladesh, said Prof Sagnik Dey, Chair Professor at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi.
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