Air Pollution has been wreaking havoc across India. Each day, a new data comes up, adding a new city in the list of the most polluted in the country.
The city of Bengaluru is far away from a beach or a desert, however, recent data suggests that it is sand that constitutes most of the dust in road and is a significant contributor to Air Pollution.
After collection of data samples collected of road dust, it was revealed that at least 11 areas in Bengaluru including the southern and the eastern regions showed medium and fine sand, constituting around 50 to 90 percent of the samples.
In fact, areas of Iblur, Agara and BTM Layout had over 80 percent sand content. The study was conducted by Clean Air Platform and they were quite surprised by the results as Bengaluru in no way has any access to sand.
As per stats, Bengaluru’s toxic air contribution includes 28 percent from vehicular emission and 23 percent from road dust along with construction. Domestic cooking, waste burning as well as diesel are other factors that contribute to pollution.
Road dust had several components in it including silt, vegetation, clay, coarse aggregate (particles of material used in construction), paper, plastic, glass and metal. However, many sizes of sand were the ones which caught everyone’s eye.
As solution, CAP chief executive Yogesh Ranganath has suggested measures including paved walkways in areas which has higher footfall. Concrete mixers on the roadsides should also be cleared. Road sweeping which causes the dust to be suspended in the air again should be replaced by Mechanised cleaners.
Image Credit:livemint
