- By Aditya Jha
- Sun, 08 Dec 2024 04:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Two-wheeler commuters of Bengaluru are using windcheaters on a daily basis, but not as a shield against strong wind, but against the dust particles present on the road in several parts of the high-tech city. The residents are scared of several infections, including diseases related to lungs because of the dust. Several of the commuters claimed that their white shirts turned grey in just a few minutes because of the excessive dust.
One of the commuters jokingly stated that his shirt looks like he had survived a sandstorm. "Every morning, my shirt looks like it survived a dust storm by the time I reach the office!" Varun Mehta, a techie from Koramangala, was quoted as saying by the Times of India. "It's gotten to a point where I have a spare windcheater just to keep the stains and grime off my work clothes," he added.
The residents informed that the situation was normal for a few days as the dust particles got settled, thanks to the heavy rain. However, they said that the issue resumed after it stopped raining. One of the residents said that she was sneezing all day because of the dust. She added that a mask and windcheater are a must to survive in the city.
"I have a perpetual layer of dust on me! It's not just dirty clothes anymore—I'm sneezing my way through the day. A mask and windcheater have become my survival kit," Anitha Rao, a teacher and daily commuter, was quoted as saying by TOI.
Health concerns because of the dust particles
Road dust consists of particulate matter with a thickness of 10 microns or less. The matter present in the dust can affect the nose, eyes, and throat when inhaled. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) states that eight of 13 air monitoring stations in the capital city of Karnataka identified PM10 as its primary llutan