CHENNAI: The noise levels, measured by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) during this Deepavali, showed an average reduction of nine decibels as compared to the previous year.

A TNPCB s release said that intense bursting of firecrackers was observed on the eve of Deepavali and on the festival day.

The ambient air quality results showed that the levels of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxides were well within the standards of 80 micrograms per cubic metre.

The levels of oxides of nitrogen and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter showed a considerable decrease of 31 per cent and 51 per cent respectively when compared to the previous year's recordings.

However, a marginal increase in levels of oxides of sulphur was observed. This could be attributed to the bursting of crackers containing sulphur, officials said.

The police, fire service, schools and non-governmental organisations extended their support to keep pollution under control during the festival and the bursting of noise producing crackers was less than that of last year.

The TNPCB launched an intensive weeklong campaign to create an environmental awareness of the ill-effects of bursting fire crackers from October 16.

The campaign covered all the 10 zones of the Chennai Corporation, especially in the residential and slum areas.

Two mobile monitoring teams checked noise levels in 17 locations covering commercial, residential and industrial areas of the city.

Ambient air quality monitoring stations were also set up in Anna Nagar, T. Nagar, Kilpauk, Triplicane, Saidapet and Sowcarpet.

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