Kochi's air quality turned worse last year, says CSE study

Thirvananthapuram: It seems there is no end is sight for Kochi's pollution crisis. The air quality in Kerala's commercial hub has been on a downward slide, according to a recent study.

 

The air quality in the city was worse last year compared to 2020, as the number of good air quality index (AQI) days was lesser, a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) shows.

 

Analysis of days as per AQI categorisation showed that Kochi city has not been able to sustain the air quality gains of 2020, said the air pollution analysis of the southern state. The number of days when the AQI was worse than satisfactory was eight in 2021 -- up by four days compared to 2020, it said.

 

"But 2019 had witnessed 50 days above the satisfactory category. Most significant reduction is noted among good' AQI days which are down by 43," the CSE analysis said.

 

Within the city, Vyttila has the worst air with its December average adding up to 56 ug/m3. Udyogamandal has the least polluted air with a 33 ug/m3 monthly average for December, the study, released in New Delhi added.

 

The objective of this new analysis is to understand the trend and magnitude of pollution in different regions that have real time air quality monitoring systems, a CSE release said.

 

The analysis covers 63 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) spread across 39 cities in five states and one Union territory, it added.

(With PTI inputs)