Air quality in Gaya

What is the level of air pollution in Gaya right now?

Gaya is of historical significance and is one of the major tourist attractions in India. Gaya is 116 kilometres south of Patna, which is the capital city of Bihar State. A census conducted in 2011 estimated the population to be almost 471,000 which makes it the second most populous city in the state. It is surrounded on three sides by small rocky hills which are of great significance to the Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist religions.

Towards the middle of 2021, Gaya was experiencing a period of air quality classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a US AQI reading of 142. This classification system is used and recognised throughout the world and, as such, it is used to compare different cities in different countries but by using the same metrics, and is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). There are usually six main pollutants that are taken into consideration when assessing air quality. Sometimes numbers for all six are not available so the figure has to be calculated by using what data is available.

The concentrations of the main pollutants in Gaya were as follows: PM2.5 - 52.3 µg/m³, ozone (O₃) - 115.9 µg/m³, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) - 4.8 µg/m³ and carbon monoxide (CO) - 1520 µg/m³. With elevated levels such as these, it is highly recommended to stay indoors and close all doors and windows to prevent more dirty air from entering the room.

Those with a sensitive disposition should refrain from venturing outside until the air quality improves. A good quality mask should be worn when going outside although prolonged periods of outdoor activity are not recommended until it gets noticeably better. The table at the top of this page will assist you with this decision. It would be very beneficial to use an air purifier if one is available.

Is the level of air pollution in Gaya constant throughout the year?

Air pollution is governed by many variable factors such as temperature, wind speed and direction and the level and strength of sunlight.

The readings for 2020 have been published by the Swiss air monitoring company, IQAir.com and it can readily b seen t that the best quality air was enjoyed from July until the end of September. During these three months, Gaya enjoyed “Moderate” air quality with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. During the spring months of March through until the end of June, the quality was classed as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with figures between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³. A similar quality occurred in October and November with 36.3 and 51.2 µg/m³ readings, respectively. For the remaining 3 months of the year for December, January and February as the coldest months of the year, the air quality is usually at its worst. It was classed as being “Unhealthy” with figures between 55.5 and 150.4 µg/m³.

Historically, records have been kept since 2017 when the first recording was 102.6 µg/m³ which was a really high number. However, improvements can be seen with each passing year. In 2018 the figure was 96.6 µg/m³ followed by a sharp drop to 59.4 µg/m³ in 2019. Another sharp drop was recorded in 2020 of 46.3 µg/m³ but this could be artificially lower due to the restrictions put into place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, many vehicles were prohibited from being used because factories and offices had been instructed to stop production. The closure of the factories also meant they were no longer polluting the air, albeit on a temporary basis.

Where does all the polluted air in Gaya come from?

In terms of pollution figures in Bihar, vehicles are responsible for the highest 30 per cent pollution. Dust pollution causes 12 per cent and burning of straw causes seven per cent pollution. Industrial establishments are also polluting seven per cent. Diesel generators are responsible for polluting five per cent and brick kilns four per cent.

The amount of dust in the city air is four to five times higher than usual. Muzaffarpur and Gaya have become the most polluted cities in Bihar. Muzaffarpur has an index of 230 and Gaya has an index of 174.

The main reason for being so polluted is the increase in the level of air pollution in the city due to the seeming disinterest of the local authorities regarding the cleanliness and washing of the roads. Right now, dust is spreading in the air during building construction and bridge construction. Much of the rubble is transported away from the sites in open-backed lorries. These should be covered to prevent the dust from being blown off and onto the streets, but without strict control these practices continue unchecked.

What can be done to improve the air quality in Gaya?

The operation of all 15-year-old government vehicles has been banned in the state. Also, 15 year old commercial vehicles will not run in Patna. 15 year old private vehicles will have to get a pollution control certificate before being allowed in the city. The government has also decided not to give government benefits to farmers who continue to burn straw despite the ban.

What effect does polluted air in Gaya have on human health?

There is ample evidence that airborne pollution affects the health inversely in various amounts. This leads to higher mortality, higher chances of diseases and excessive respiratory diseases.

Air pollution has the greatest effect on the human respiratory system because the air absorbed with breathing does not dissolve in the blood plasma, but mixes with haemoglobin and travels throughout the body.

If the polluted granules in the air are somewhat bigger in size then they stop at the nasal gates but the microscopic granules reach the lungs and reach various parts of the body and cause diseases. Polluted air causes respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, throat pain, pneumonia, lung cancer, etc.

In addition to respiratory diseases, excess of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the air causes cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc. Sulphur dioxide causes a disease called emphysema which is a disease that causes thousands of people to die prematurely across the world.