The level of air pollution is “gradually rising” in Jammu city but it is expected to settle after a fresh spell of rains.
Authorities said the air pollution normally increased after Diwali fireworks but it this time it remained normal during the festival but later started going up.
“The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Jammu on Saturday remained 112, which was above normal, and the AQI after Diwali was between 78 and 100,” said an official.
He said that it was expected by November 4, the AQI may touch 130 — a level of pollution not suitable to children and the elderly.
Meanwhile, a pulmonologist said: “AQI of 70 to 100 is considered to be normal for any city, but if the level crosses over 100, the amount of dust particles in the air becomes so high that it causes respiratory diseases by entering into the lungs through the respiratory tract.
“If there is no rain, the air pollution problem may further deteriorate, which is not healthy for children and elder population,” he added.
However, an environmentalist expressed that if there was no rain in the next few days, then problems will increase.
“PM (Particulate Matter) reaching 2.5 levels above 40 is unhealthy for children, elderly population and people suffering from the respiratory diseases and can trigger breathing problems among them.
“Lower the PM figure, smaller are the particles present in the air and the easier it will go into the body while breathing. Therefore, PM 2.5 is considered more dangerous than PM 10,” he explained.
He observed that AQI is likely to be 114 to 127 if there is no rain in the coming few days.
