PANAJI
Goa’s industrial estates, mining belt and capital city Panaji are most polluted areas with the Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) concentration level being much above the safe limit of 60 microgram per cubic meter (pg/m3). However, the pollution level at these places is considered as “satisfactory”.
As per the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) annual report 2022-23, tabled on the Floor of the House, the annual average of PM10 exceeds at eleven, ambient air monitoring stations out of 17. These include capital city Panaji, industrial areas of Cuncoliem, Kundaim and Tuem, mining belts of Assanora, Amona, Honda, Usgao, Codli and Sanguem. Annual average for PM10 is also exceeding for the source station at MPT.
“The field observations around the monitoring sites indicate prominence of anthropogenic activities like vehicular movement, construction activities and industrial emissions,” the Board said.
The PM10 concentration is highest in Cuncolim (72 pg/m3) followed by Kundaim (70 pg/m3) and Panaji (68 pg/m3). The PM 10 concentration of 67 pg/m3 and 66 pg/m3 is recorded at MPT, Amona and Assanora and Tuem areas.
In Honda and Usgao the PM 10 concentration is 63 pg/m3 while in Codli it is 62 pg/m3 and 61 pg/m3 in Sanguem.
The Board has said that PM concentration between 51-100 pg/m3 is considered as satisfactory, where sensitive people might face minor breathing discomfort.
The particulate matter remained much below the permissible limit in cities like Mapusa, Margao, Vasco, Ponda and mining areas of Bicholim and Tilamol.
The parameters like Ozone (O3), Lead (Pb), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) were also monitored at these locations and were found within prescribed limits.
