Mangaluru: In an attempt to throw light to the rising concern of air-pollution, city based non-profit Anti Pollution Drive (APD) Foundation has conducted ‘Sudha Gali, a new project to measure the air quality levels of Mangaluru city. The air samples were collected over a two week period in the first and second week of December.

Ambient air quality monitoring under five parameters including particulate matter (SPM/RSPM), PM10, SPM, PM2, SO2, NO2 and lead have been done at PVS Junction, Bunder, Central Market, Lalbagh, Bejai, Bunts Hostel, Nanthoor, Baikampady, Pumpwell, Thannirbavi, Pilikula and Attavara for eight hours. City MLA J. R. Lobo had visited one of the sample collection sites near Nanthoor Circle. After inspecting the same, he had expressed his happiness on APD’s initiative.

At present the results are being analysed and a detailed report will be submitted to the district administration, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, who is also the minister for environment. The results obtained from the study will help the authorities in understanding the ground reality and formulate a solution.

The project is floated by APD Foundation in association with St George’s Homeopathy, a firm promoting better health since 1945. OneEarth Enviro Labs, a Mangaluru-based laboratory, is gathering the data. The results will be submitted to the government for perusal and action. This will help to understand air quality levels based on five different parameters in the study areas.

“In the drive to make Mangaluru the least-polluted city in the country, we’ll monitor air pollution, principal sources and begin work on mitigation of pollution at its origin. Pilikula was the last of the 12 spots we identified to test air quality,” said Abdullah A Rehman, founder, APD Foundation.

It is sad to note that our country loses almost 600,000 lives as a result of the poison citizens are forced to breathe every day. Mangaluru is ranked eighth among the cleanest cities and is among the least polluted cities in India. But in the recent past, with drastic increase in population, vehicular movement and unplanned infrastructure development, the city has seen a rise in traffic congestion and smoke-emitting vehicles,” Rehman said, adding that the growing menace of air pollution in New Delhi has raised many tough questions.

At present the government collects air quality samples only from Baikampady, which is an industrial zone. There is no monitoring mechanism in the city limits. “We have no understanding of the air quality measures in areas of our residence or work. We have no understanding of quality of air our children breathe in their schools. In the light of this concern, APD has aggregated experts to commence a study on air quality of Mangaluru city,” Rehman said.

This project will bridge the gap between the problem and the solution for the government. This project will also help us to understand if the Air quality in Mangaluru city limits meets the National Ambient.

“Our firm’s aims and objectives are intrinsically linked with APD. There is a visible rise in air pollution related health issues in the country especially among children,” says Neil Zacharias, Partner St. George Homeopathy.

“This is an appropriate time to take up the study as the city has witnessed drastic growth in the past couple of years in terms of road and infrastructure. The influence of the development can be assessed by having the result of this air quality index,” said Dr Lakshmikhantha scientific officer Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).