Chennai: While Deepavali is synonymous with bursting crackers, the regulations imposed by the Supreme Court, though it was flouted by many, brought down pollution levels in the city 6 November, giving patients with respiratory problems breathing space.
The statistics provided by the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) from five locations – Triplicane, Besant Nagar, Nungambakkam, Sowcarpet and T Nagar – on the day of Deepavali showed that the levels of the average particulate matter (PM) were recorded less.
“Since the last three years, the pollution level was slightly less, as my residence had good green 
cover. Even then, I would have to keep the windows shut for two days. But this year, due to the rules laid by the apex court, I was finally able to breathe without any problem,” said Fowzia, an asthma patient from Arumbakkam.
Dr Anupama, a general physician in a private hospital in the city, said the number of respiratory cases was nil this year during the festive season.
“There has been a lot admission of patients with seasonal flu this year and so far, we have not received patients with breathing troubles,” she added.
| YOU KNOW THAT |
| PM 2.5 are the tiny particles present in the air that measure two and one half microns or less in width that can reach the lungs through the respiratory tract.
PM 10 are the particulates that measure 10 micrometers in width. Since it is bigger than PM 2.5 in size, it gets deposited high up in the respiratory system. |