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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ground-level ozone at 5-yr high; south, northwest Delhi worst hit
New Delhi: The city experienced its highest ozone levels in five years this summer, according to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment. The eight-hour rolling average of the gas exceeded safe standards for 14.2 hours daily, increasing from 12 hours in previous summers. The analysis revealed that south and northwest Delhi were most affected, showing the broadest geographical spread of ozone exceedance since 2018. The study indicated that ground-level ozone surpassed national safety standards throughout the 92-day summer period from March 1 to May 31, with breaches occurring on 83 days. The established eight-hour standard for O3 is 100 micrograms per cubic metre. "Ground-level ozone pollution remained consistently high across the region, with the maximum concentration exceeding 100 microgram per cubic metre on each of the 92 days between March 1 and May 31, highlighting the persistent and widespread nature of the problem," the study said. "The worst day in terms of spatial spread was April 28, when 32 out of 58 monitoring stations across the region reported ozone levels above the safe limit. The highest regional intensity was recorded on April 13, with the Delhi-NCR average reaching 135." Ozone forms through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide, which are released by vehicles, power plants and factories. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 34歳以上の男性が今年最高のPCゲームと絶賛！今すぐ無料でダウンロード BuzzDaily Winners ゲームをプレイ Undo These substances react in sunlight to create ground-level ozone. This highly reactive gas poses serious health risks. It can inflame and damage the airways, increase susceptibility to infections and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. CSE analysed summer trends from 2021 to 2025 (until May 31) using CPCB's official online portal, Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The findings showed Nehru Nagar breached the safe level on all 92 days, followed by Najafgarh (82 days) and Okhla Phase-II (81 days). Only six locations, Anand Vihar, IHBAS, ITO, Shadipur, Narela and Knowledge Park in Greater Noida, maintained levels below the standard. On several days this summer, therefore, ozone was the lead pollutant instead of particulate matter in the daily air quality index. "Out of 18 days between May 25 and June 11, ozone was the lead pollutant on 12," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, CSE. The study also said there was no system to address the ozone problem under the Graded Response Action Plan. "While the policy attention is nearly fully focused on particulate pollution, co-control of toxic gases from vehicles, industry and combustion sources that contribute to ozone formation in the air is neglected," Roychowdhury pointed out, calling for measures to curb ozone.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chinese scrap imports threaten Ludhiana's sewing machine industry
Ludhiana: The local sewing machine industry has faced significant challenges due to the influx of Chinese sewing machines. Despite these obstacles, the industry has competed effectively. However, the progress and hard work of the industry are now threatened by unfair trade practices , such as the dumping of scrap material, which could undermine their achievements. Although Ludhiana has primarily been producing traditional black sewing machines, there has been a significant influx of advanced and sophisticated white sewing machines from countries like Taiwan, and especially China. This influx has allowed China to dominate majority of the segment in India, putting the local industry on the backfoot. In response to the rise of Chinese machines and the resulting loss of market share, Ludhiana manufacturers rose to the occasion. Through sheer hard work and grit, and without government grants, they managed to create a superior quality white sewing machine. Remarkably, they introduced this advanced machine at a lower price in the market, a feat that initially seemed impossible. Over the period of five years, the industry associations worked hard without any government aid. "We didn't receive any monetary help from the government. However, we coordinated with the R&D centre, District Industries Centre, Central Control Room, and MSME centre in developing and refining the machines to achieve international quality, which cost crores. Together, we were able to create a superior quality white sewing machine at a lower price," says Gurmukh Singh Rupal, general secretary of the United Sewing Machines and Parts Manufacturers Association. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Highest Earning College Majors—2025 Edition Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo "The Chinese machines were priced at Rs 24,000, while we priced ours at Rs 17,000. Our machines were of much superior quality. However, the problem began when, in the past couple of years, scrap from Chinese second-hand machines started arriving without any bills. These machines are reassembled here and sold at just Rs 9,000," Rupal said. "And it is not a small number. About 2-3 containers of such scrap machinery are arriving here without any bills. Even though our quality is much superior, those setting up new factories opt for the cheaper version, available at half the price," he said. "We put in the effort, invested crores over these years, and achieved great quality, yet the influx of second-hand machines is robbing us," he said. "The only solution now lies with the government," says Rupal. "The government must impose stringent measures to stop the import of second-hand sewing machine scrap and plug all avenues for smuggling. We have no solution against the influx of scrap second-hand machinery from China. If it is not stopped, it will derail all the efforts and progress we have made. The government must actively intervene and halt these imports," he said.
