Ground-level ozone has started rising in the State capital after it has become a prominent pollutant in Bhopal’s air as shown in live monitoring system of Pollution Control Board. Ground-level ozone can cause severe health problems. Though air quality index (AQI) of Bhopal is satisfactory but presence of ozone gas (O3) has raised concern of officials and environmentalists. While monitoring air quality of the city in live monitoring system 17 times, Pollution Control Board (PCB) recorded presence of ozone gas in the air five times. Experts said that presence of ozone gas remain nominal in our environment but the recent quantity of the gas is a serious concern. Regional Manager Madhya Pradesh Control Board Brajesh Sharma said, “Overall AQI is satisfactory but ozone is being displayed as prominent. All other parameters are down but at present PM level is ranging from 10 to 2.5 that is reflecting ozone towards prominent.

 

Further scrutiny will be held to check increase of gas in the air and current level. Monitoring is being done regularly to check this issue.” He further said that in comparison to other pollutants, ozone is being displayed as prominent. “During summers the gas generally increases in the environment due to UV rays,” added Brajesh Sharma. Earlier, the gas was found in air of Indore city near Rajwada area. Bhopal has recorded presence of the gas for the first time in history. Subhash C Pandey, city’s popular environmentalist, said this is something very unsafe for our health and inner body system. He said, “Presence of ozone is the air can take lives. Ozone has been mentioned as prominent pollutant in the list of 12 pollutants marked by the Central Pollution Control Board. Increasing level of O3 in our environment can be the main reason for heart diseases.” There are three continuous ambient air quality monitoring system in city at different places. Daily reading of these system gets updated on State and Central Pollution Control Board official website.

 

The gas was found in live monitoring of Koh-e-Fiza and Paryavaran Parisar areas. Experts said that this gas will be affecting environment of around 2 km areas including Idgah Hills, Arera Colony, Shahpura, Manisha Market, Royal Market, State Bank Square, Shaheed Nagar and nearby areas. Subhash Pandey said, “Teh situation is alarming as ozone is being displayed as prominent pollutant. I would like to ask researchers to study about the this and create more awareness among the public. This is not only the responsibility of Pollution Control Board while general public can also contribute towards safe environment. Even boards like ‘Ozone prone’ should be displayed in areas to make people alert.” Somi Gupta, another environmentalist said, main reason for presence of ozone in air can be industrial pollution, dilapidating roads, poor tyre in vehicles etc.