When air pollution emissions rise, such as during periods of high traffic or forest fires, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Bangalore rises as well.
Bengaluru's air pollution index is far lower than Delhi's but still higher than that of the major cities in developed countries. The AQI Bangalore is mostly influenced by construction and vehicle traffic, unlike in Delhi, where burning stubble combined with industrial and vehicular pollutants causes air pollution.
Bengaluru's main sources of air pollution are PM10 and PM2.5, and compared to Delhi, there is more pollution from transportation in Bengaluru. Transportation accounts for 42% of PM10, while road dust accounts for 20%, according to research by The Energy and Resources Institute. Let's take a closer look at Bangalore AQI:
An index used to report air quality in Bangalore on a daily basis is known as Bangalore AQI. It is a measure of how quickly air pollution can have an impact on someone's health. The AQI was created to help individuals understand how their health is affected by the local air quality. Eight pollutant categories are used to assess the quality of the air: lead (Pb), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), ammonia (NH3), and particulate matter (PM10) and PM2.5. Air pollution levels and associated health risks increase with increasing AQI values.
Good, satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor, and severe are categories used to measure aqi Bangalore today. Each category details the related health effects, as indicated in the table below:
AQI | Category | Health Impacts |
0-50 | Good/ Safe | Minimal Impact |
51-100 | Satisfactory | Minor breathing discomfort |
101-200 | Moderately polluted | Problems with breathing can be experienced by people with lung disease, heart disease, children, and elderly adults.
|
201-300 | Poor | Breathing difficulties from higher exposure, as well as discomfort for those with heart disease
|
301-400 | Very poor | Respiratory issues might arise from long-term exposure.
|
401-500 | Severe | People may suffer negative health effects even from mild physical activity. People with lung or heart diseases may experience serious health consequences. |
There is a correlation between higher air pollution levels and an increased chance of heart attacks and poor lung function in Bangalore. Many health issues affect those who are exposed to particle pollution. There are immediate and long-term effects.
Examples of temporary consequences include infections like bronchitis or pneumonia. Lung cancer and chronic respiratory conditions like emphysema are among the long-term impacts. With time, exposure to air pollution can damage an individual's kidneys, livers, brain, nerves, and other organs.
As immune systems are weakened, small children and older adults are most harmed by poor air quality. Lung issues, heart illness, and asthma can all worsen when exposed to air pollution.
The AQI in Bangalore takes into account the following most prevalent contaminants and their possible effects on respiratory health:
· Particulate matter (PM): The upper respiratory system, which includes the nose, filters PM. Additionally, the nose filters PM10. Particulate matter (PM) can aggravate or trigger respiratory ailments like bronchitis and asthma. The majority of health problems are caused by PM2.5, which is the most dangerous.
· Carbon Monoxide (CO): When breathed in, the colorless, odorless gas presents a risk. It attaches itself to hemoglobin in the blood, decreasing its ability to carry oxygen to all of the body's tissues, including the lungs. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause breathing issues and tissue damage.
· Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): The inhalation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) has the potential to cause respiratory irritation, leading to symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and dyspnea. In addition, it can worsen respiratory disorders like bronchitis and asthma that already exist.
· Ozone (O3): The respiratory system is seriously harmed by this gaseous pollutant. Ozone inhalation can cause inflammation in the airways, which can result in symptoms including coughing, sore throats, and chest pain. Likewise, lung function might be compromised, and pre-existing respiratory disorders made worse by ozone exposure.
· Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): Fossil fuel burning releases nitrogen dioxide. The respiratory system can get disturbed by this gas, and extended exposure to NO2 may worsen respiratory symptoms, impair lung function, and raise the risk of respiratory infections.
When air pollution emissions rise, such as during periods of high traffic or forest fires, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Bangalore rises as well. Moreover, stagnant air contributes to increased air pollution concentrations because of anticyclones and temperature inversions. This raises the AQI by causing chemical interactions between air contaminants and cloudy weather. So AQI plays an important role in the health of Bangalorean life. Search for Bangalore AQI today on the internet to get the updated air quality of Bangalore.