STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: While the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Bamunimaidam here was 'satisfactory' (AQI of 51-100) and 'good' (AQI of 0-50) during Diwali on Monday, October 24 last, it turned into 'moderate' (AQI of 101-200) and then 'poor' (AQI of 201-300) and 'very poor' (AQI of 301-400) by evening and night of Tuesday, October 25.
This was ascertained during monitoring by the Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA).
It is pertinent to mention that 'good' AQI signifies minimal impact; 'satisfactory' indicates minor breathing discomfort for sensitive people; 'moderate' implies breathing discomfort for people with lung and heart diseases, along with children and other adults; 'poor' implies breathing discomfort; 'very poor' implies respiratory illness among people due to prolonged exposure; and 'severe' implies respiratory effect even on healthy people.
On the other hand, hourly noise level monitoring by the PCBA during Diwali in Ganeshguri (commercial area) - which was partially disrupted due to rain on Monday) - revealed perceptible increase in noise levels in comparison with pre-Diwali level.
While the noise level in the area between 6 pm and 7 pm on October 18 was 71.0 decibel, it became 74.9 decibel during the same period on Tuesday; the noise level of 70.7 decibel between 7 pm and 8 pm on October 18 rose to 76.3 decibel on Tuesday; the noise level of 66.1 decibel between 8 pm to 9 pm became 77.8 decibel; the noise level of 65.0 decibel between 9 pm to 10 pm became 76.1 decibel; the noise level of 59.2 decibel between 10 pm to 11 pm became 73.0 decibel; and the noise level of 53.1 decibel between 11 pm to 12 pm became 70.1 decibel on Tuesday.
It may be mentioned that the ambient standard noise level in commercial zones is 65 decibel between 6 am and 10 pm, and 55 decibel between 10 pm and 6 am.
In the Panbazar area (silence zone), the noise level between 8 pm and 9 pm on October 18 was 60.9 decibel, but it became 81.3 decibel on Tuesday. Similarly, the noise level between 9 pm and 10 pm on October 18 was 56.8 decibel, which rose to 80.2 decibel on Tuesday.
The ambient standard noise level in silence zone between 6 am and 10 pm is 50 decibel and 40 decibel between 10 pm and 6 am.
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