Air quality in Aligarh

What is the current air quality in Aligarh?

Aligarh was formerly known as Allygurh and Kol is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is situated 130 kilometres southeast of the capital, New Delhi. In 2011 it had an estimated population of 874,408 people, although this figure is very likely to be larger now, 10 years later.

At the beginning of 2021, Aligarh was experiencing a period of “Unhealthy” air with a US AQI figure of 151. This is part of the classification from recommendations made by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The recorded level of the pollutant PM2.5 was 56.2 µg/m³.

With levels as high as these, it is advisable to close doors and windows to prevent the ingress of dirty air into the rooms. All types of outdoor exercise should be avoided until the quality of air improves. Those of a sensitive disposition should wear a good quality mask if going outside is unavoidable. The use of an air purifier would be an advantage if one is available.

What are the main industries in Aligarh?

The city is an agricultural trade centre, so agricultural product processing and manufacturing are very significant.

Aligarh is also famous for its brass hardware and sculptures. Today, the city has thousands of manufacturers, exporters, and suppliers involved in the brass, bronze, iron and aluminium industries.

There is also a Heinz sauce manufacturing unit, a sugar mill and a cement factory. Wave Distillery, which makes Kingfisher beer, is located at Atrauli in Aligarh.

There is also a thermal power station and a nuclear power station within 15 kilometres from the city.

Is Aligarh very polluted?

Pollution has reached alarming levels in Uttar Pradesh. The air has become highly contaminated. The mist is back. People are having trouble breathing. At the same time, due to pollution, the problem of burning eyes is also returning. Air quality is drastically deteriorating due to increasing pollution. Pollution has reached alarming levels in the state capital Lucknow. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) in Lucknow is at 291 ('poor' category). The air quality index (AQI) in Aligarh reached 509 (hazardous). On Thursday morning (AQI) reached 635 in the Loni area of Ghaziabad.

The world's 20 most polluted cities include 15 cities in India and six cities in Uttar Pradesh. This has increased the concerns of environmentalists, so the government is promising to take all possible measures for clean air in polluted cities.

What are the main sources of pollution in Aligarh?

Air pollution comes in many forms. This is usually due to nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, vehicle emissions, smoke, dust and chemicals from the factory exhausts.

Despite the poisonous air and the strict approach of the Supreme Court on it, efforts are being made to eradicate the dust of Aligarh. The dust on the roadways, the building material, the smoke of automobiles, the smoke emanating from garbage and the ongoing construction work does not make the atmosphere favourable for breathing.

Increasing air pollution can make a huge difference in Aligarh's health. The fog in the sky is constantly increasing. Due to the dust coming from Rajasthan, air pollution is increasing drastically. The rising amount of air pollution can make road users ill. The PM10 quantity has been gradually increasing in Aligarh.

Constantly increasing PM10 can prove to be harmful to health. Due to certain climatic conditions, the dusty mist will remain in the sky for several days. It is usual for this dusty mist to remain in the air until it rains.

How can the quality of Aligarh’s air be improved?

The local government is to ban the sale and use of fireworks and firecrackers over the religious festival of Diwali. “Green Crackers” which do not emit the same levels of pollution are permitted in certain areas where the air pollution is not as high. And instead of fireworks, laser lights and LED projectors are being encouraged.

They also intend to take action on farmers burning stubble and sending notices to factories that increase pollution to an unacceptable level.

During November 2020, the air pollution in Aligarh was inching its way towards record levels. The figures that were recorded showed pollution at between 4 and 5 times higher than normal. Due to the moisture in the air, fog and smog prevented small particles from rising upwards.

On the roads where construction is being done, construction agencies will spray water every day to prevent the settled dust from rising. Extraction of water has been made compulsory outside the large factories of the Kasimpur area and on the roadside. The cement factory and other production units were required to spray water around their compounds in order to prevent the dust from being sucked up by the wind or by passing traffic.

People walking on the street and in the market should use masks to mitigate the risks from breathing in the dangerous air.

What are the health implications of breathing in Aligarh’s polluted air?

Eye discomfort has recently increased because dust and smoke are not only causing problems in breathing, but also the problem of eye irritation and watery eyes. A spokesperson from the Gandhi Eye Hospital, says that since the eyes cannot be kept closed, they come in direct contact with the poisonous environment. These days, there has been an increase in the number of patients suffering from problems due to eye irritation and haze.

Exposure to air pollution can cause respiratory diseases such as coughing, wheezing, eye and sinus irritation, bronchitis, asthma and emphysema, severe fatigue, decreased lung capacity and shortness of breath, damage to lungs and heart and fatal diseases such as cancer.

It has the most effect on pregnant women, children, infants and the elderly. According to statistics, about three million children are born prematurely every year due to air pollution. Apart from this, the baby may also be at greater risk of developing diabetes, heart-related diseases and high blood pressure in later life.

A study has shown that polluted air can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and occurs when a person's kidney becomes impaired or the kidney is not able to cleanse the blood properly. A study of Indian origin is also included in this study.

Large amounts of blood flow through the kidneys, and if anything damages the circulatory system, the kidney is first affected by it. PM2.5 particulate matter is so small that it easily bypasses the human defence mechanism and becomes trapped at the base of the bronchial tubes where oxygen and nitrogen dioxide are exchanged. This is how PM2.5 can easily enter the bloodstream.