BMC to clear the air

As doctors voice concerns that 80% of city's children are affected by dust, BMC plans some clean-up measures

Struggling with a chronic dust problem and a correlated increase in diseases, the BMC wants to banish dust particles from the city's atmosphere.


BMC is conducting meetings with higher officials to discuss measures for minimising dust particles in the air

And how the civic body does it will be decided in the coming week after sessions of brainstorming. An official said that meetings are already under way to discuss measures for minimising dust particles.
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"Talks are on among higher officials but a concrete plan has not been formulated yet," he said, requesting anonymity.

BMC's Standing Committee Chairperson Rahul Shewale confirmed the plan, saying, "We are thinking of the measures that can be taken by the corporation to make the atmosphere dust-free.

After a meeting with doctors, we were informed that almost 80 per cent children in the city suffer from some or the other dust-related disease."

To tidy the dusty environs, civic officials have planned on some measures that will be incorporated in the city's work-a-day routine (see box).

Shewale added that dust levels have gone up so much that public health, including that of his family's, is being affected.
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"My family members have also been affected by the increasing dust in the city," Shewale said.

A recent report on air pollution and its sources in mega cities, prepared by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and sponsored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), reveals just how deep the rot is.

It details the role of various agents in piling on the dust to the troposphere, and the resulting insalubrious effects on citizens (see box).

"Particle pollution contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems including increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, difficulty in breathing, development of chronic bronchitis, and so on," the report states.

Why so dusty

Dr Pramod Niphadkar, asthma and allergy consultant at the state-run Jaslok Hospital, testified to the increase in dust-related disorders, and attributed them to the development projects in the city.

"In the last couple of years, I have seen a 30-40 per cent rise in cases related to particle matter. Children are the most susceptible to it, as they have smaller tubes for respiration," he said, adding, "And it's mainly because of the innumerable construction sites in the city."

Environmentalist Isaac Kehimkar of the Bombay Natural History Society concurred with the doctor about where the blame rests.
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"The string of BMC projects going on in the city has increased at least 50 per cent of the total dust. It's a good thing that they are thinking on the lines of Singapore, which has a grassy footpath that traps a lot of dust.
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The same method can be used here. Although there is less space, the green cover in the city can be increased. Only plants and trees can prevent the dust from affecting humans. Also we have a hot weather generating hot current. So the dust gets accumulated and gets carried with the winds," he said.

Dodge the dust
Preventive measures recommended by experts to keep the dust away:
> Close your nose and mouth while passing through dust
> Close your doors and windows
> Use dust proof materials
> Use vacuum cleaners
> Eat food with anti-oxidants like carrots and green leafy vegetables
> Practise yoga, pranayam and kapalbharati

Clean-up act
The BMC will undertake the following measures to ensure a cleaner environment:
>Tell the clean up marshals to not clean the road abruptly, as it leads to an increase in dust particles
>Monitor construction sites so they do not add a lot of dust in the atmosphere
>Decrease the level of smoke coming out from dumping grounds
>Appoint committees in every ward to monitor air pollution levels and take measures.
>Increase the green zone

Pollution Factors
The extent to which various factors contribute to the particulate matter that pollutes the air in the city:
Construction activity, including paved and unpaved road dust: 38%
Power plants: 20.99 % of air pollution
Landfill open burning: 10.84%.
Heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDV): 3.42%