We counted this already among the many menaces of living in polluted cities, but now there’s a study to prove it beyond doubt. Our children breathe heavily polluted air in schools.

The respirable standard particulate matter (RSPM) in Delhi schools apparently exceeds all air quality standards in most seasons, according to pollution watchers at The Energy Research Institute (TERI) in New Delhi. They studied five schools in the national capital region and found that nitrogen dioxide levels were also over the top in some of these schools. They report ‘alarming’ levels of pollutants on Diwali day, the festival of lights, and for days preceding Diwali.

Here, the first two self-explanatory graphs talk of the RSPM and nitrogen dioxide levels (in that order). The third graph gives a feel of the Diwali bonanza!

In the emission inventory of Delhi, the prime culprits stand out — vehicles and industries, primarily the power plants. The researchers have suggested a slew of mitigation measures to make school zones safer for children including improved parking, pick up and drop off zone for children, dense tree plantation, water sprinkling in play fields and special reinforcement messages prior to Diwali.

How doable is all this? Anything else that can be done to get our school authorities working?