Why you should not take morning or evening walks?

Updated: Oct-01-2018

Executive Summary

Do you know someone who lives in the Whitefield area who goes for morning or evening walks? Why are we recommending that you should not take morning or evening walks? What is the best time to walk then?

Based on the air quality analysis based on the data from March-01-2018 to Sep-30-2018, from Purple Air sensor located at Thubarahalli we found the following:

• Air quality is the worst between 06:00AM – 08:00AM and between 07:00PM – 08:00PM.
• Air quality is worse during the months of March and April; it becomes better during June and July.
• Saturday has the worst air quality and Monday is the best day.
• 13th of every month has the best air quality and 31st  has the worst air quality.

Are you concerned about air quality and pollution? Want to know how to plan your day so that you are exposed to least amount of pollution? Please continue reading… The following topics are covered in detail:

1. What is PM2.5 and how does it relate to pollution?
2. Where to view PM2.5 data for Whitefield, Bangalore?
3. Data analysis of air pollution from March-01-2018 to Sep-30-2018 and findings.
4. How does pollution change month by month?
5. What are the best and worst air quality days in a month?
6. Which day of the week is the most polluted?
7. Which hours of the day is the most and least polluted?

What is PM2.5 and how does it relate to pollution?

The term PM2.5 refers to fine particles or droplets of size 2.5 microns are less. This is 30 times smaller than an human hair. These particles are so small that they can reach your blood stream through the lungs. These particles come from vehicle exhausts, , vehicle brakes, construction, road dust, and fuel burning. Long term exposure to these particles cause increase rates of chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, lung cancer, kidney disease, and diabetes.

PM2.5 is measured in µg/m³  (micro grams in a cubic meter).

PM2.5 Standards

WHO PM2.5 standards

WHO recommended guidelines is 10µg/m³  for annual average and 25 µg/m³ for 24 hour average. There is no safe level of PM2.5.

USA PM2.5 standards

The USA standard for PM2.5 (µg/m³  24 hours), category, and health impacts are shown below.

•  0 to 12.0 – Good
  • Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• 12.1 to 35.4 – Moderate
  • Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
• 35.5  to 55.4 – Unhealthy for Sensitive People
  • Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
• 55.5 to 150.4 – Unhealthy
  • Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
• 150.5 to 250.4 – Very Unhealthy
  • Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.
• 250.5 to 500.4  – Hazardous
  • Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

Where to view current values of PM2.5 in Whitefield, Bangalore?

You can view the latest value (PM2.5 short term) and 24 hour average values at:

https://aircare.mapshalli.org

AirCare operates community based high density air quality network for Whitefield. Currently, there are 12 such sensors in operation.

You can also view data from one government sensor at:

http://aqicn.org/city/india/bangalore/bwssb/

Data analysis of air pollution from March-01-2018 to Sep-30-2018 and key findings

Mr. Rahul Bedi has been operating an air quality and weather station at Pride Orchid, Whitefield.  The sensor data is available at purpleair.

We have analyzed over  222,216 sensor readings and found the following:

• Air quality is the worst between 06:00AM – 08:00AM and between 07:00PM – 08:00PM.
• Air quality is worse during the months of March, April, and Sep; it is better during June and July.
• Saturday has the worst air quality and Monday is the best day.
• 13th of every month has the best air quality and 31st of the month has the worst air quality.

How does pollution change  month by month?

Although the air quality is becoming better over the months, it is expected to become worse after the monsoon is over and during the Diwali season.

What are the best and worst air quality days in a month?

After all, 13th is not an unlucky day, it is the least polluted day  in a month. Don’t step out of the house on the 31st.

How does pollution change by the day of the week?

How does pollution change by the hour of a day?

The best time to walk is during the lunch hour!  Avoid those early morning walks!

Conclusion

Hope the above data analysis can help to plan your days and hours better and avoid air pollution. You can contribute by becoming a host of a community air quality sensor. Read more about it here.