Meghalaya's Byrnihat most polluted hotspot last week: CPCB Data

Byrnihat in Meghalaya was the most polluted hotspot last week with cities from Assam also joining the list, according to the latest data from Central Pollution Control Board.

The levels for the 10 most polluted cities remain significantly higher than the CPCB's daily safe limits of 60 ug/m3 for PM 2.5.

While Byrnihat is at the top of the list of most polluted cities last week, Siwan ranks second with an annual PM2.5 concentration of 60 ug/m3. Nalbari Assam is third with a reading of 91.25µg/m3.

Pollutant levels in these cities have exceeded prescribed air quality standards.

Top 10 polluted cities in India: Check full list

Bihar

• Kishanganj 263.8

• Chhapra 282.3

• Bhagalpur 297.1

• Ournia 301.2

• Bettiah 305.8

• Saharsa 305.8

• Siwan 328.5

Meghalaya

• Byrnihat 399.8

Assam

• Guwahati 273.2

• Nalbari 312.7

During winters, the air pollution is as bad as in many other polluted cities in India.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also cited the air quality in Guwahati as being among the worst.

PM2.5 are lung-damaging fine particles that are 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter and can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reach the lungs, and enter the bloodstream.

Transport-level winds blow in the two lowest layers of the atmosphere, the troposphere and the stratosphere, carrying smoke from agricultural fires into the national capital region.

Delhi most polluted city in 2022

Delhi topped the "Most Polluted City" list with PM 2.5 levels in 2022, more than double the safe limit and the third-highest average PM 10 concentration, according to an analysis data of the Central Control Board of pollution.

In the last four years, the level of PM 2.5 has been reduced by more than 7% in the national capital, from 108 micrograms per cubic meter in 2019 to 99.71 micrograms per cubic meter in 2022, says the Tracker report of the National Clean Air Program (NCAP).

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