High Air Pollution in Kolkata, but Why Nobody Is Talking About It!

KOLKATA: Air pollution in Kolkata is quite high posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. According to the reports, today PM2.5 levels are expected to be 181 µg/m³, surpassing the WHO daily standard of 15 µg/m³.

Air quality in the City of Joy remains poor moving “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” levels and high PM2.5 concentrations. The AQI.in confirmed that breathing the air in Kolkata’s several locations is as harmful as smoking 8.7 cigarettes a day.

The website has suggested to turn on air purifier at home and car filter. It suggested to stay at home, however, if needed use N95 masks to be safe.

Air in Kolkata turned very unhealthy and severe, but nobody is talking about it. When there is high hue & cry about Delhi’s plluted air, it seems Kolkata has been left far behind in talking about the same.

In this year’s winter, Kolkata has turned into a smog chamber, no one cares.

The Indian Express cited IQAir’s global report puts Kolkata’s 2024 annual average PM 2.5 concentration at 45.6 micrograms per cubic meter, almost nine times the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit.

Dunlop, Ultadanga, Moulali, Rabindra Sarobar, Shyambazar and the Howrah Bridge corridor emerging as major pollution hotspots, especially for NO₂ and PM10.

Plastic Waste to Be Blamed!

Health experts warns that plastic waste are a primary source of air pollution across the Kolkata city.

The Telegraph reported citing a Pollution Control Board (PCB) scientist:

“When plastic is burnt in the open at low temperature, it releases toxic chemicals like furan and dioxin, which are carcinogenic. Anyone with prolonged exposure to the polluted air will be impacted. The waste that has been burned is spread by the wind, which again leads to air pollution.”

The media report claimed that the combustion of waste, even without the presence of plastic, generates particulate matter that increases air pollution.