AIR QUALITY IN GUWAHATI
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: In what can be termed as a positive development for COVID-19 patients, the air quality of the State's capital city has considerably improved.
The 'Air Quality Index' (AQI) in Guwahati declined to 111 on Saturday. As per the yardsticks of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI of 111 is considered as "Moderate".
"Less vehicular movement after 6 pm in the last few days due to implementation of the new COVID-19 safety guidelines has resulted in improvement of the air quality of Guwahati. If the present trend continues, the AQI of the State's capital city will be less than 100 ("Good" & "Satisfactory" categories) within a few days," an expert at the Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA) said. He added that the recent rainfall has also contributed to the improvement of air quality in the city.
The expert said under the "Good" & "Satisfactory" categories the COVID-19 patients or other patients should not worry about the quality of the air they inhale.
The air quality in Guwahati often deteriorates due to dust and emissions from vehicles and industries. "Polluted air directly impacts the lungs. Poor lungs may make the people more vulnerable to Coronavirus infection and the resultant complications like breathlessness and oxygen saturation," the expert said.