Patna is the fifth most polluted city in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentration, according to a global air pollution database released by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Though Ranchi is not figuring in the list, PM 2.5 concentration exists in Jharkhand capital too.PM 2.5 is the level of ultra-fine particles of less than 2.5 microns which invade human lungs and cause serious health problems, including cancer.

Patna’s PM 2.5 concentration was recorded at 144 micrograms per cubic metre, while the scenario in Gaya was worse with its PM 2.5 concentration being 149 per cubic metre. Gaya has been declared the fourth most polluted city in the world.

Notably, Kanpur tops the global list of most polluted cities with PM 2.5 concentration of 173 micrograms per cubic metre, followed by Faridabad (172), and Varanasi (151). Delhi is sixth on the list.

The air quality in Patna and Ranchi have deteriorated rapidly over the past few years. Patna occupied 48th position among 1,600 cities in the WHO’s database on urban outdoor air pollution released in 2014. It was declared the second most polluted country in India after New Delhi in the 2014 report. 
Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board may be keeping the record in dark.But the air quality of Ranchi is no better than that of NCR on PM2.5 level.

Average Particular Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) in the air during the last week at 429 in Ranchi indicated dangerous scenario.The index clearly shows that air quality of Jharkhand capital is little better than NCR which recorded average PM 2.5 at 450 during the week under consideration.

As it is, the air pollution testing machine installed in Hatia indicated PM 2.5 level at 551 which is well ahead of many locations even in Patna, Gaya and Delhi whose poor air quality left few Sri Lankan citizens vomiting inside Firoz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi last year. 

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