A recent study conducted by the Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (JNTU-H), has shed light on the alarming levels of air pollution surrounding major traffic intersections in the city, posing significant health risks to residents and workers in the vicinity.
The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of traffic-related pollution on public health. The study, focusing on the Balanagar-Miyapur stretch, revealed that key junctions at Balanagar, JNTU-H, Nizampet, and Miyapur exhibited high levels of particulate matter (PM) 2.5, ranging between 150 and 300 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) within a 500-metre radius of the intersections. Such elevated pollution levels far exceed the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline level of 5 μg/m3, highlighting the severity of the issue. PM 2.5, categorised as a very poor air quality indicator when levels range between 121 and 250, poses significant health risks, including respiratory issues such as asthma, wheezing, and coughing, as well as other diseases. Moreover, the study emphasised that the impact of pollutants extended beyond road users, with carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter persisting up to a kilometre in all directions from the junctions. The heavy emissions from vehicular traffic not only pose health risks to road users but also significantly impact residents in nearby colonies. Benzene and suspended particulate matter, identified as primary pollutants, have been linked to various health ailments, including cancer and lung dysfunction, among individuals residing in the vicinity of these heavily polluted junctions.
For instance, PM 2.5 levels at Miyapur junction consistently registered high readings, with concentrations reaching 188 within 100 metres and 177 within 500 metres. Similarly, JNTU-H junction recorded PM 2.5 levels of 216 within 100 metres and 220 within 500 metres. Notably, Nizampet emerged as the most heavily polluted junction, with PM 2.5 levels peaking at 336 within 100 metres and 248 within 500 metres. The findings of the study underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address traffic-related air pollution in Hyderabad. Efforts to improve air quality at major junctions are imperative to safeguard public health and enhance the overall well-being of the city’s residents.
