Gurugram: HSPCB installs two sensors to read pollution levels

Gurugram: Haryana State Pollution Control Board on Wednesday installed two state-of-the-art equipment in the district to provide more reliable and accurate reading of pollution levels. The equipment has been set up at two locations – one at Gurugram University campus in Sector 51 and other at TERI Gram Institute in Gwal Pahari village.

These new sensors will provide accurate readings up to 10 Particulate Matter (PM) as the district was earlier equipped with ambient air quality machines which provide data up to PM level of 2.5.

Deputy Commissioner Amit Khatri said, “It is imperative that we get the accurate data which enables effective policy making and action plan to combat the level of pollution in the district. The pollution levels in the district often increase in the month of September, which poses a risk of serious diseases including respiratory diseases. Children, elderly and people suffering from other serious diseases were at a greater risk.”

He pointed out that the ambient air quality monitoring systems are installed at various places in the city, which continuously monitor pollution levels so that necessary steps can be taken timely.

These systems are installed at Vikas Sadan, Gurugram University, TERI Gram, Gwal Pahari, HSIIDC Manesar. New equipment which provide readings up to PM 10 have been installed at Gurugram University and TERI Gram institute while Vikas Sadan and HSIIDC Manesar already have the equipment which reads up to PM level of 2.5.

PM 2.5 has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers which can easily penetrate deeply into the body through inhalation and cause serious health problems, lung damage, sore throat, stiffness. 

On the other hand, PM 10 is known as respirable particulate matter and is less than 10 micrometers in size. It can get deep into the lungs and cause a wide range of health effects, in particular, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

PM 2.5 arises from the various sources including smoke emanating from the vehicles, dust present in the air, while PM 10 contains dust and microscopic particles which can have adverse effects on human beings.

Meanwhile, the district administration is conducting regular plantation drives in the monsoon season to reduce the pollution level in the district and more than 7 lakh saplings to be planted this year. The district administration is working with various NGOs and RWAs to plant seven lakh saplings across the city.