Noise, Air, Water, Environment Pollution In Mumbai

Noise Pollution, Air Pollution, Water Pollution and Environmental Pollution are increasing in Mumbai. Bombay’s Municipal Corporation (BMC) is primarily responsible for reducing pollution in Mumbai city.

The BMC’s annual Environmental Status Report (ESR) shows that Noise and Air quality is deteriorating in Mumbai. Fortunately, there is some progress in combating Water Pollution.

 

Noise Pollution In Mumbai

LOCATION	2012 – 2011		2011 – 2010		2010 – 2009		2009 – 2008		UPPER NOISE LIMITS
	DAY	NIGHT	DAY	NIGHT	DAY	NIGHT	DAY	NIGHT	DAY	NIGHT
Residential	74	58	73	60	68	62	83	53	55	45
Commercial	83	64	79	59	77	58	106	66	65	55
Traffic Spots	90	69	85	65	76	64	96	64	65	55
Silence Zones	78	63	78	55	73	55	99	80	50	40

 (All numbers in Decibels, db)

The effects of high Noise Pollution are loss of hearing, hearing impairment, ischemic heart disease, heart attacks (estimate of 4% of heart attacks because of noise pollution), premature ejaculation, decreased sexual capability, irregular bowel movements, sleep disturbance, irritability, hypertension, high blood pressure, change in immune system, birth defects, etc.

 

 

NOTE:

• 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm is the nosiest time of the day in Mumbai city.
• Day time is from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Night time is from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am
• Mumbai has 1,112 notified Silence Zones which are area up to 100 meters around premises such as hospitals, educational institutions, courts, etc.

 

 

Air Pollution In Mumbai

 

SULPHER DIOXIDE LEVELS IN MUMBAI

LOCATION	2012 – 2011	2011 – 2010	2010 – 2009	2009 – 2008	2008 – 2007
Worli	14	8	9	13	14
Khar	10	7	9	12	11
Andheri	11	8	12	13	11
Bhandup	12	10	14	18	14
Borivali	9	7	7	8	8
Maravli (Chembur)	16	10	16	16	18

(All figures are in µg/m³ - micrograms per cubic meter of air)

 

 

NITROGEN DIOXIDE LEVELS IN MUMBAI

LOCATION	2012 – 2011	2011 – 2010	2010 – 2009	2009 – 2008	2008 – 2007
Worli	44	32	41	67	31
Khar	57	44	47	84	47
Andheri	56	40	53	86	47
Bhandup	40	34	29	67	34
Borivali	20	14	22	31	19
Maravli (Chembur)	60	50	65	89	54

(All figures are in µg/m³ - micrograms per cubic meter of air)

 

SUSPENDED PARTICLE MATTER (SPM) LEVELS IN MUMBAI

LOCATION	2012 – 2011	2011 – 2010	2010 – 2009	2009 – 2008	2008 – 2007
Worli	205	197	201	183	185
Khar	219	221	250	252	258
Andheri	238	203	227	263	281
Bhandup	273	198	200	206	268
Borivali	158	125	113	129	32
Maravli (Chembur)	760	642	603	389	439

(All figures are in µg/m³ - micrograms per cubic meter of air)

India’s National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) classifies air pollution into four air pollutants:

1. Sulphur Dioxide,
2. Oxides of Nitrogen, including Nitrogen Dioxide,
3. Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM),
4. Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM/PM10).

NOTE:

• At almost all observation points, there has been an increase in air pollution in Mumbai in 2012 – 2011 as compared to the last two years.
• The month of December experiences the highest level of air pollution in Mumbai. Air pollution levels in Bombay start rising after the monsoon.
• 451 new vehicles are registered in Mumbai every day. These motor vehicles are deteriorating the quality of air. Also, slow moving traffic jams lead to increased air pollution as compared to smooth flowing traffic.
• Increased construction (housing, Metro, bridges, roads, etc) has increased dust and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM).

 

Sulphur Dioxide and Air Pollution

Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) is a pungent smelling, toxic gas. Petrol, Diesel, Coal contains Sulfur compounds, which when burnt lead to Sulfur Dioxide.    Excess Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) in the air can cause respiratory illness, breathing problems, reduced functioning of lungs, cardiovascular problems, etc. Mumbai residents who suffer from heart disease or asthma or other respiratory problems are most at risk to exposure to Sulphur Dioxide.

Sulphur Dioxide, in combination with Nitrogen Oxides, causes “Acid Rain” which impacts plants, animals, reduces visibility and accelerates corrosion of buildings and infrastructure.

Permissible level of Sulphur Dioxide is 50 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter of air).

 

Nitrogen Dioxide and Air Pollution

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) is a Reddish-Brown, sharp, foul smelling toxic gas. Motor vehicle exhaust contributes to most of the nitrogen dioxide in Mumbai and other cities. Exposure to increased levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) leads to respiratory problems because it inflames the lining of the lungs. Illnesses associated with excess Nitrogen Dioxide are lung infection, bronchitis, flu, cough, cold, wheezing, etc. Mumbai residents who suffer from heart disease or asthma or other respiratory problems are most at risk to exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide.

Permissible level of Nitrogen Dioxide is 40 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter of air).

 

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Air Pollution

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) is a mix of small air borne particles, dust, fumes, smoke, nickel, lead, mist, etc in the air. Usually the size of SPM is less than 100 µm or 10 micrometer (PM10) in diameter. Particles of such small size can are able to infiltrate the deepest part of the lungs such as the bronchioles or alveoli.

Increased exposure to Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) can lead to respiratory ailments such as lung cancer, asthmatic attacks, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc and heart disease. Among very young children, it can also lead to birth defects, lower IQ and premature deaths. Exhaust from motor fuels like Diesel contain Benzopyrenes which are Carcinogenic (cancer causing).

Permissible level of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the air is 200 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter of air).

 

Air Pollution in Mumbai and Indian Metros

According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), when it comes to air pollution, India is the 13^th most polluted country in the world. Among the four metros of India, the most polluted is Delhi, followed by Kolkatta, then Mumbai and finally Chennai.

 

Water Pollution in Mumbai

2012 – 2011	2011 – 2010	2010 – 2009	2009 – 2008	2008 – 2007
16.37	26.64	26.1	13.8	12.47

(All figures in Percentage)

There has been a reduction in the number of contaminated water samples tested by the BMC in Mumbai. A water contamination of 16% is hardly good. One in 6 glasses of water that a Mumbaikar drinks is impure. This leads to water borne diseases such as Cholera, Gastroenteritis, E Coli, Jaundice, Dysentery, Diarrhea, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, etc.

The most contaminated samples were taken from Goregaon, followed by Kalbadevi. The lowest samples of dirty water was taken at Matunga.

 
 

Picture by Mikael Häggström. Taken from Wikimedia Commons