PM10 level high around thermal & incineration plants in Delhi

The level of particulate matter PM10, an indicator of pollution, is high around incineration and thermal power plants in the capital but the poor air quality cannot be conclusively attributed to these plants, a report placed in the National Green Tribunal said on Monday.

A high-power inspecting team, constituted by the green panel to inspect incineration and thermal power plants here, submitted an inspection report which said PM10 (fine respirable particles) around Badarpur Thermal Power Station, Timarpur-Okhla Waste plant and Ghazipur plant exceeded the prescribed ambient air quality standards as notified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

“The analysis results of the ambient air quality monitoring carried out at different locations reveal that PM 10 exceeded the ambient air quality standards notified by CPCB under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981...

“With above findings, no direct conclusions can be drawn regarding impact on ambient air quality at the monitored locations due to the operation of the plant. The results indicate that air quality at different locations may have been influenced by local factors like vehicular traffic, dust, industrial sources etc,” the inspection report said.