Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 22
It is confirmed! Air pollution due to dust particles has become a major threat for public health and environment in Nagaland, especially in Dimapur and Kohima. Recent investigations revealed that the chance of lung cancer is increased due to dust pollution because it directly impacts lungs function which in turn causes cardiovascular disease and chronic abnormalities in respiratory system. Moreover, it is not only dangerous for public health but also affects plant and animal life.
With particulate matter touching an all high at Particulate Matter size 10 (PM 10) touching 404.7 ug|m3 and Particulate Matter size 2.5 (PM2.5) recorded at 212 ug|m3 as per the permissible limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standards, it is time to raise concern. The permissible limit for PM 10 is 100 ug/m3 (24 hourly) and PM 2.5 is 60 ug/m3 (24 hourly).
After being monitored under the National Air Monitoring Programme, Dimapur and Kohima have been identified by Central Pollution Control Board as “non-attainment cities/towns” in Nagaland (A non-attainment area is an area considered to have air quality worse than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards).
This is according to a recent investigation conducted by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) at Purana Bazar on November 10 for 24 hours. NPCB monitored the ambient air quality using two methods - Respirable Dust Sampler and Fine Particulate Sample APM 550 MFC.
Pollution in the stretch of road in Purana Bazar, decidedly the most heavily congested in Dimapur, is aggravated by movement of vehicles in unmaintained dusty road, burning of wood chips by the furniture units nearby, burning of waste, etc.
Informing press personnel during a conference held today at NPCB office, Rusovil John, Member Secretary, NBCP informed that NPCB has been monitoring the Ambient Air and Ambient Noise Quality twice a week for 24 hours and the results have been alarming.
To this effect, he also stated that NPCB along with various concerned departments and stakeholders had been working on an Action Plan to mitigate the pollution in Dimapur and Kohima. He informed that a meeting had been held in the month of October 2017 where a ‘20-point proposal action plan’* for non-attainment towns/cities with respect to air quality management in Kohima and Dimapur on the basis of 5 years data analysis from 2011-2015 was proposed.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had recently directed three North East states – Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland – to make an “action plan” to control air pollution by laying emphasis on both micro level and regional strategies.
Therefore, he called on the urgent need to create mass awareness on the hazards of vehicular pollution, industrial pollution etc.
It was informed that depending on the level of exposure and the type of pollutant inhaled, health impacts from dust particles may cause irritation of the eyes, coughing, sneezing, hay fever, asthma attacks, allergic reactions, chronic bronchitis, heart and lung problems.
Rusovil also highlighted the plight of health concerns for students plying along the Purana Bazar stretch of road every day, numerous shopkeepers along the highway road, traffic personnel having to work for 8 hours or more being affected.
“Something needs to be done urgently,” he remarked. “We hope that the State Government and District Administrations pay heed to the need of the hour or simply keep breathing and suffer.”
