Air quality in Panchkula

What is the level of air pollution in Panchkula now?

Panchkula is a planned city and district headquarter in the Panchkula district, part of the Ambala division in Haryana, India. (A planned community, planned city, or planned town is any community that was carefully planned from its inception and is typically constructed on previously undeveloped land.) The name originates from a place where five irrigation canals meet. It is 259 kilometres northeast of New Delhi. A census conducted in 2011 estimated the population to be approximately 212,000 people.

Towards the middle of 2021, Panchkula was experiencing a period of air quality that was classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a US AQI reading of 128. This follows the guidelines as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is a globally used set of metrics that are used when comparing air quality in different cities across the world. In order to determine this level, there are usually six of the most prevalent pollutants measured.

However, this is not always the case as sometimes all the information is unavailable. The concentrations for Panchkula were recorded as follows: PM2.5 - 43.4 µg/m³ and sulphur dioxide (SO2) - 7.2 µg/m³. With such relatively high levels of pollution, the advice that is given is to stay indoors as much as possible and close all doors and windows to prevent the ingress of more dirty air. Those people who are sensitive to poor quality air should avoid venturing outside until the quality improves. The table at the top of this page will help by showing the existing state of the air. For those who usually take exercise outdoors, it would be a good idea to change location to an indoor area such as a gym or sports hall or even the local shopping mall. If there is an air purifier available, it is advisable to use it the help clean the air.

Is the level of air pollution in Panchkula the same all year round?

Air pollution can be very volatile and is easily affected by many variables such as temperature variations, wind speed and direction and the strength of the sunlight.

The latest figures from IQAir.com are now available for 2020. It can readily be seen that the best quality of air is enjoyed during the spring and summer months from March until the end of August. The classification was given as “Moderate” with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. The months of January and February saw the classification as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with readings between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³. A similar classification was recorded for September and October with figures of 51.5 and 51.7 µg/m³, respectively. The remaining two months of the year for November and December saw the level drop to “Unhealthy” with readings between 55.5 and 150.4 µg/m³.

Records of air quality were first kept in 2017 when the annual average figure was 52.8 µg/m³, followed the next year by a poorer figure of 56.2 µg/m³ µg/m³. 2019 saw an upturn with a reading of 45.9 µg/m³. In 2020 the figure showed a marked improvement with a reading of 42.8 µg/m³. However, because of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure could well change over the next few months. The use of most private vehicles was prohibited and many non-essential industrial operations were suspended. This had a noticeable effect on air quality as can be seen in many cities throughout the world.

Where does the polluted air in Panchkula come from?

Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes and wildfires. The solid and liquid particles suspended in our air are called aerosols.

There are many types of pollution in the air, but the PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 and 10 has the most effect. Panchkula seems to be beating the pollution in the race of the cleanest city in the state. Panchkula has recorded a very low amount of air pollution, recently.

When ozone is close to the ground, it can be really bad for our health. Ground-level ozone is created when sunlight reacts with certain chemicals that come from sources of burning fossil fuels, such as factories or vehicle exhaust.

When particles in the air combine with ozone, they create smog. Smog is a type of air pollution that looks like smoky fog and makes it difficult to see.

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

Air pollution will be reduced by 30 to 40 per cent by 2024 in 120 cities facing the country's pollution problem. The Union Ministry of the Environment will work closely with representatives of the State Pollution Control Board, local authorities and representative institutions. The ministry will also provide technology and financial assistance in this campaign.

While increasing pollution remains a matter of great concern in the state, it comes as no surprise that there are many districts in the state where no office of pollution department exists. These districts are deprived of pollution control offices. In such a situation, pollution of these areas is neither monitored properly nor can any action be taken with regards to the complaints. In view of this, the Haryana government has decided to open pollution control offices in every district.

Anybody can help to reduce air pollution. Millions of people every day make simple changes in their lives to do this. Taking public transportation instead of driving a car, or riding a bike instead of travelling in carbon dioxide-emitting vehicles are a couple of ways to reduce air pollution.

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

Breathing in polluted air can be very bad for our health. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, cancers and other health problems. That’s why it’s important for us to monitor air pollution.

In terms of health hazards, every unusual suspended material in the air, which causes difficulties in the normal function of the human organs, is defined as pollutants. According to data, the main toxic effects of exposure to air pollutants are mainly on the respiratory, cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, dermatologic, neuropsychiatric, hematologic, immunologic, and reproductive systems. However, molecular and cell toxicity may also induce a variety of cancers in the long term. In contrast, even a small amount of air toxins are shown to be dangerous for susceptible groups including children and elderly people as well as patients suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.