Coimbatore: Improvement in air quality, is certainly one among the few good things from Coronavirus lockdown. Housing thousands of industries of various nature including dying and cement manufacturing, the air quality in the city of Coimbatore has seen a sea change during the lockdown, according to reports.
Coimbatore: Improvement in air quality, is certainly one among the few good things from Coronavirus lockdown. Housing thousands of industries of various nature including dying and cement manufacturing, the air quality in the city of Coimbatore has seen a sea change during the lockdown, according to reports.
Experts from the city inform that the air quality were at "satisfactory" levels, during the lockdown. Steep dip in vehicular traffic and halting of industrial operations were attributed as the main reasons for better air quality in the city.
Air Quality in Coimbatore "Not Good"
"However, gradually after the lockdown relaxations, the City’s air quality has been found to be at PM 2.5 (Particulate matter) of 51.88 micrograms per cubic metre. At the beginning of the outbreak, the level of PM 2.5 in the air was only 26.11 micrograms per cubic metre", according to the source in SIDCO in Kuruchi, here.
It also confirms that average PM 10 level in that area is approximately 54.70 micrograms per cubic metre. A source from a air quality centre in Kavundampalayam here says that the quality of air at residential areas in the city are good.
What Study Says?
According to Rohin from Greenpeace India, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) the air quality below 20 micrograms per cubic metre is the "Safest" level and added above 20 micrograms per cubic metre is higher than the prescribed WHO standards.
It is also told by greenpeace India that air pollution from PM 2.5 can lead to various problems including premature deaths and respiratory illnesses. Over 6,374 premature deaths have been witnessed in Chennai during January to September , 2020.
The greenpeace India also says that PM 2.5 is causing serious health risks like cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and lung cancer. In the case of COVID-19, current evidence indicates that chronic exposure to air pollutants is associated with more severe infections and higher mortality.
Effect Of Air Pollutants On Covid Patients.
A study published in the Cardiovascular Research says that the mortality rate due to Covid-19 can be due to the compoundung effects of air pollution. Researchers had supported their claim by analysing the epidemiological data from previous US and Chinese studies of air pollution and COVID-19 and the SARS outbreak in 2003, supported by additional data from Italy.
They combined this with satellite data showing global exposure to air pollutants known as particulate matter that are less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter, known as PM2.5.
Air Pollution and Covid-19 Mortality Rate
Air pollution contributed to 29 per cent of coronavirus deaths in the Czech Republic, 27 per cent in China, 26 per cent in Germany, 22 per cent in Switzerland, and 21 per cent in Belgium, the research found.And, in UK the death percentage and fraction attributable to air pollution is 14 per cent.
Health experts and study reveals that inhaling polluted air ranging below PM 2.5 can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress which inturn causes causes damage to the inner lining of the arteries.
Concurring with the study, a senior pulmonologist from Kovai Medical Centre and Hospitals in the City informed that if a Covid-19 positive person inhale air at this PM level, it might lead trigger complications involving the heart and pulmonary system. Such patients may experience breathlessness and associated respiratory ailments which complicates treating Covid. However, it need not be the same for every other patient who is exposed to pollution levels. It differs from patient to patient, he added.
He also informed that people working in cement, silicon factories are more vulnerable, as they are exposed to inhaling more pollutants on a daily basis.
In Coimbatore, people living in the vicinity of ACC Madukarai cement factory are proof to these statements, as residents for decades have been complaining of dust residues ruining their health.
To tackle the situation, both government officials and people have to act responsibly to bring the air quality within prescribed WHO limits — these cities need a coordinated and consistent action plan to address major sources of pollution that exist throughout the year.
Low-cost urban transport needs to be redesigned and active and carbon-neutral vehicles and climate-resilient infrastructure needs to be developed, Chanchal, Climate Campaigner from Green.Peace India, said in his findings.
Experts from the city inform that the air quality were at "satisfactory" levels, during the lockdown. Steep dip in vehicular traffic and halting of industrial operations were attributed as the main reasons for better air quality in the city.
Air Quality in Coimbatore "Not Good"
"However, gradually after the lockdown relaxations, the City’s air quality has been found to be at PM 2.5 (Particulate matter) of 51.88 micrograms per cubic metre. At the beginning of the outbreak, the level of PM 2.5 in the air was only 26.11 micrograms per cubic metre", according to the source in SIDCO in Kuruchi, here.
It also confirms that average PM 10 level in that area is approximately 54.70 micrograms per cubic metre. A source from a air quality centre in Kavundampalayam here says that the quality of air at residential areas in the city are good.
What Study Says?
According to Rohin from Greenpeace India, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) the air quality below 20 micrograms per cubic metre is the "Safest" level and added above 20 micrograms per cubic metre is higher than the prescribed WHO standards.
It is also told by greenpeace India that air pollution from PM 2.5 can lead to various problems including premature deaths and respiratory illnesses. Over 6,374 premature deaths have been witnessed in Chennai during January to September , 2020.
The greenpeace India also says that PM 2.5 is causing serious health risks like cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and lung cancer. In the case of COVID-19, current evidence indicates that chronic exposure to air pollutants is associated with more severe infections and higher mortality.
Effect Of Air Pollutants On Covid Patients.
A study published in the Cardiovascular Research says that the mortality rate due to Covid-19 can be due to the compoundung effects of air pollution. Researchers had supported their claim by analysing the epidemiological data from previous US and Chinese studies of air pollution and COVID-19 and the SARS outbreak in 2003, supported by additional data from Italy.
They combined this with satellite data showing global exposure to air pollutants known as particulate matter that are less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter, known as PM2.5.
Air Pollution and Covid-19 Mortality Rate
Air pollution contributed to 29 per cent of coronavirus deaths in the Czech Republic, 27 per cent in China, 26 per cent in Germany, 22 per cent in Switzerland, and 21 per cent in Belgium, the research found.And, in UK the death percentage and fraction attributable to air pollution is 14 per cent.
Health experts and study reveals that inhaling polluted air ranging below PM 2.5 can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress which inturn causes causes damage to the inner lining of the arteries.
Concurring with the study, a senior pulmonologist from Kovai Medical Centre and Hospitals in the City informed that if a Covid-19 positive person inhale air at this PM level, it might lead trigger complications involving the heart and pulmonary system. Such patients may experience breathlessness and associated respiratory ailments which complicates treating Covid. However, it need not be the same for every other patient who is exposed to pollution levels. It differs from patient to patient, he added.
He also informed that people working in cement, silicon factories are more vulnerable, as they are exposed to inhaling more pollutants on a daily basis.
In Coimbatore, people living in the vicinity of ACC Madukarai cement factory are proof to these statements, as residents for decades have been complaining of dust residues ruining their health.
To tackle the situation, both government officials and people have to act responsibly to bring the air quality within prescribed WHO limits — these cities need a coordinated and consistent action plan to address major sources of pollution that exist throughout the year.
Low-cost urban transport needs to be redesigned and active and carbon-neutral vehicles and climate-resilient infrastructure needs to be developed, Chanchal, Climate Campaigner from Green.Peace India, said in his findings.