Environmental organisation Poovulagin Nanbargal has called for a review of how air pollution is measured in Tamil Nadu, alleging the current methods understate the real impact of firecracker emissions during Deepavali.
According to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Chennai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) between 6 a.m. on October 20 and 6 a.m. on October 21 ranged from 190 to 332. However, Poovulagin Nanbargal said the actual pollution levels were far higher, as private monitoring apps showed readings of up to 993 AQI in parts of the city on Deepavali night.
