Bengaluru Air Quality News: A recent report by Greenpeace India, titled “Spare the Air-2,” has revealed a concerning drop in air quality across major cities in southern India, including Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Mysuru. The study found that levels of air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM10, are significantly higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards.

The report examined ten prominent cities in South India, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, Mangaluru, Amravati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Mysuru and Puducherry. It indicated that the annual average PM2.5 levels in cities such as Mangaluru, Hyderabad and Vijayawada were six to seven times above the recommended limits set by WHO. Similarly, PM10 levels in Bengaluru, Puducherry and Mysuru exceeded WHO guidelines by four to five times.

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In Bengaluru specifically, PM2.5 levels were found to be five to six times higher than WHO annual standards, while PM10 levels were 3 to 4.5 times above these limits throughout the year. Alarmingly, PM10 levels surpassed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) during several months, including February, March, April, October, November and December.

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The Indian Express report referenced a recent study published in The Lancet, linking short-term exposure to PM2.5 with increased mortality risk, even at levels lower than current Indian standards. Akanksha Singh, the lead researcher, stressed the urgent need for updated air quality standards that address the unique pollution patterns in southern Indian cities.

To tackle the worsening pollution crisis, the report urged for revised NAAQ standards and recommended significant investment in a hybrid air quality monitoring system for real-time data access.