Buxar Faces Alarming Air Pollution, AQI Hits Dangerous Levels

Buxar: Buxar, a city in Bihar, is grappling with escalating air pollution, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching hazardous levels in the past 24 hours. The AQI has been recorded at 278, categorizing it as “poor,” a figure that has raised alarms among residents and environmentalists alike. On Sunday, the city was ranked the most polluted in the state, with dust particles being identified as the primary contributors to the deteriorating air quality.

For the fourth consecutive day, Buxar has remained the most polluted city in Bihar. Although a slight improvement was noted over the previous day, it is still significantly above the safe limit. This was confirmed by the daily air quality report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), released on Sunday evening.

The CPCB’s report highlights that PM 2.5 particles are the major pollutants in Buxar, with their microscopic size making them particularly harmful to human health. These particles can easily penetrate the respiratory system and cause long-term damage to the lungs.

In comparison, other cities in Bihar have recorded far lower AQI levels. Ara stands at 147, Aurangabad at 211, and Patna at 192, while cities like Chhapra (84) and Katihar (66) are experiencing comparatively better air quality. Buxar’s AQI is notably higher than that of other major Indian cities, including Delhi, which recorded an AQI of 368 on the same day.

The pollution levels are influenced by a variety of factors, including traffic congestion and industrial activity. The report from the CPCB also shows that nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, and sulfur dioxide levels remained within acceptable limits, but PM 2.5 levels remained alarmingly high. Additionally, carbon monoxide levels rose in the evening, likely due to the widespread use of coal in homes and roadside eateries.

The use of coal as fuel is contributing to the elevated carbon monoxide levels, particularly in the evenings when coal is used for cooking. This practice continues in several households and small businesses, exacerbating the pollution problem.

The city’s air quality worsens in the daytime, with PM 2.5 levels starting to rise around 11 AM and peaking at 1 AM. PM 10 levels also saw a significant spike around 10 PM. Over the past 24 hours, the minimum, maximum, and average PM 2.5 levels were recorded at 173, 388, and 278, respectively. Similarly, PM 10 levels ranged from 127 to 342.

Interestingly, experts are considering the potential role of the local cremation ground in contributing to the pollution. Situated just 400 meters west of the monitoring station, the cremation ground burns wood 24 hours a day. On average, 35 bodies are cremated daily, with this number rising during extreme weather conditions. The district has been in discussions for years about constructing an electric crematorium to mitigate the environmental impact, but progress on this project has been slow.

Agricultural activity in the region is also a contributing factor. With the recent rice harvest, farmers are processing their crops at local mills, which increases the amount of dust in the air. The prevailing winds are carrying this dust across the city, worsening the air quality.

As Buxar continues to battle severe pollution, the city’s residents are left to cope with the immediate health risks, while long-term solutions remain in the pipeline.

Daily AQI Report:

• January 19: 278
• January 18: 293
• January 17: 380
• January 16: 325
• January 15: 128
• January 14: 113
• January 13: 122
• January 12: 133
• January 11: 136