New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The capital recorded lower noise and air pollution levels during Diwali celebrations this year than in 2007, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said Wednesday.”The air pollution levels during Tuesday were found to be lower compared to Diwali last year. This can be attributed to lesser bursting of crackers,” according to CPCB data.

The board monitored the air quality at seven locations here: Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Siri Fort, Pitampura, Janakpuri, Nizamuddin, Shahazada Bagh and Shahdara.

“Sulphur dioxide concentrations on Diwali decreased at all locations as compared to Diwali in 2007. This Diwali concentration of SO2 ranged between seven and 24 micrograms per cubic metre compared to eight and 113 micrograms per cubic metre last year,” a CPCB official said.

Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) levels also showed decreasing trend at all the locations except at Shahdara this Diwali compared to 2007. The RSPM values this year ranged between 578 and 931 mg per cubic metre as compared to 610 and 1,294 mg per cubic metre during Diwali last year, the data showed.

Nitrogen dioxide concentrations this Diwali decreased at three locations increased at two locations and remained unchanged at two locations as compared to Diwali in 2007.

“Besides crackers, the decrease in air pollution to some extent can be attributed to favourable meteorological conditions like increased mixing height and temperature. However, a slight increase in air pollution (except SO2) was observed at Shahdara,” the official said.

The official said: “The noise levels during Diwali 2008 were generally lower than in 2007 because of bursting of a less number of crackers. This year average noise levels on Diwali were in the range of 65 to 85 decibels against last’s year average of 63 to 87 decibels.”

The ambient noise level monitoring was carried out at nine locations: Lajpat Nagar, East Arjun Nagar, Mayur Vihar Phase-II, Pitam Pura, Kamla Nagar, Dilshad Garden, Ansari Nagar (AIIMS), Connaught Place and ITO.