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NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 16:

        There was a reduction in pollutant levels especially 11 per cent in total suspended particulate matter, 19 per cent in respirable suspended particulate matter and 26 per cent in oxides of nitrogen as compared to the previous year Bhogi celebration, according to Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).

        The overall status of gaseous pollutants like oxides of sulphur and oxides of nitrogen were within the prescribed standards mainly because of an intensive week- long awareness campaign conducted by TNPCB from 11 to 13 January.

        The campaign covered all the 10 zones of the Chennai Corporation especially in the residential areas and slum areas. People were educated about the harmful effects namely respiratory problems, reduction of visibility, disruption of road traffic and air pollution in the campaign.

        As a follow-up action of awareness campaign, 20 monitoring teams of TNPCB staff were formed to monitor the situation in Chennai city.

        Nine ambient air quality monitoring stations were set up in major areas like Anna Nagar, T Nagar, Mandaveli etc.

        The TNPCB monitoring team accompanied by police instructed the persons burning mats, broomsticks, wood etc. This year, the burning of tyres and plastics was almost nil due to intensive patrolling. The campaign was a great success, added the release.