In Visakhapatnam's One Town, black dust is a daily health hazard

Every morning at 5.30, 24-year-old Ravi switches on an air purifier next to his mother’s bed. The 48-year-old has been facing respiratory problems for years, and the family believes the worsening air pollution in their neighbourhood – Chengalraopeta in Visakhapatnam’s One Town area – is making things worse.

The family has lived here for decades. With elderly members and children suffering from breathing difficulties, they have installed air purifiers and door meshes to keep dust out. But cleaning the house, Ravi says, has become a battle. “Every morning, we are greeted by a thick layer of black dust on the windows, walls and terraces. We have to clean at least five to six times a day,” he says.

For residents of the South Assembly constituency, especially around Old Post Office, Kurupam Market and Chengalraopeta, this is everyday reality. Though Visakhapatnam is known for its beaches, hills and colonial-era buildings, a walk through these narrow lanes tells a different story. People complain of heavy air, and many say the dust has become an invisible presence inside their homes.

“Besides respiratory issues, eye strain, cough and cold are consistently reported. We believe they are due to dust pollution, particularly coal and iron ore,” Ravi says.

The visible signs are everywhere. Walls lose their colour quickly, and blackish deposits can be seen on houses, vehicles and roadside structures. A senior doctor from the One Town area, speaking on condition of anonymity, says prolonged exposure is affecting health, especially among the elderly and children. “Many elderly people are suffering from respiratory problems due to dust pollution, while children are coming to us with persistent cough and other symptoms,” the doctor says.

The issue reached the state Assembly recently when Bheemili legislator and former minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said, “A person wearing a white shirt while travelling through Visakhapatnam’s One Town area in the morning could find it turning black due to dust and pollution.” His comment drew laughter, but data suggests the problem is serious.

According to a May 2026 report by Pune-based Respirer Living Science, air quality in Andhra Pradesh has deteriorated over the last three years. PM10 – coarse particles that can enter the nose and throat – has exceeded the national limit. PM2.5 – ultrafine particles that can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream – has surged by 33% and crossed the national threshold. Nitrogen dioxide, a combustion gas from vehicles and industry that irritates the airways, has increased by about 44%.

Visakhapatnam has emerged as a major pollution hotspot in the state. The analysis covered the period from January 2024 to April 2026. Residents say they are living with constant anxiety about the health impact, and they want action from authorities to control emissions from industries and vehicles.

Environmental experts say long-term exposure to such particulate matter can lead to chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. They call for stricter enforcement of emission norms, better road-dust management, and green barriers. For now, families like Ravi’s continue to rely on air purifiers and frequent cleaning – measures that offer only limited relief.

The one question that remains, residents say, is when the air in their homes will become safe to breathe without extra effort.