Kanpur is most polluted city, fouth time in a week

LUCKNOW: Kanpur figured as the most polluted city in the country on Friday, the fourth time in a week, with the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) breaching 400 mark. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data released on Friday, the AQI was recorded at 416 in Kanpur, making the city fall under the 'severe' air quality category, which means exposure to such air leads to serious respiratory illness.
The air toxicity in the city was seven times higher than permissible limits set by National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
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The city's air was found primarily polluted with PM2.5 pollutant which has diameter of less than 2.5 micrometre.
Need to check air pollution in Kanpur
Kanpur has witnessed a massive spike in pollution level in last 10 days with a 53 point increase in AQI. In terms of bad air quality, it has left behind the national capital which has been under the continuous grip of poor air quality since last two weeks. New Delhi’s AQI was around 50 points less than Kanpur’s on Friday.
Kanpur had earned the dubious distinction of being most polluted city in the country for two consecutive days — on October 28 and 29 — with the AQI being as high as 422 and 420, respectively.
“There is an urgent need for policymakers to control air pollution in Kanpur since severe air toxicity can lead to serious health hazards. The harmful pollutants emitted from industries need immediate check,” said Indian Institute of Toxicology Research director Alok Dhawan.
Kanpur has not only been the most polluted city in the country but also in the world. According to the World Health Organization global air database released in Geneva in May, India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world, in which Kanpur topped with the highest PM2.5 concentration of 173 micrograms per cubic metre of air.