Lucknow, Jul 3 (IANS): Ghaziabad and Allahabad have emerged as the two most air polluted cities in Uttar Pradesh in a recent survey by a research and advocacy organisation.

The survey conducted by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found pollutants of the size of 10 micron in Ghaziabad, Allahabad, Kanpur and Bareilly, which was four times the acceptable size of particulates in urban areas.

It also found air pollution levels three times more than the prescribed limits in Lucknow, Firozabad, Agra, Mathura, Khurja, Saharanpur, Moradabad and Gajraula.

The status report on the pollution levels in the state's major cities was released at a workshop here Tuesday.

The air quality in Unnao, however, has come out as the cleanest despite a heavy presence of tanneries in the town.

The presence of nitrogen-di-oxide is found to be growing dangerously in Meerut, Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad and Kanpur. It is the highest in Meerut and lowest in Rae Bareilly, the survey said.

Sulphur-di-oxide has been found mixed in the air at dangerous levels in Khurja and Ghaziabad. The presence of multi-pollutants has been found in cities like Mathura, Khurja and Ghaziabad.

The study also revealed that in most cities the manifold increase in the number of vehicles has emerged as the leading source of pollution.

In the state capital Lucknow, Vikasnagar, Chowk, Amausi and Charbagh localities have been found to be pollution "hot spots". CSE said that serious and sustained efforts are needed to minimise the air pollution in these areas of the city.

It added that the growing use of diesel was a major contributor to the growing air pollution levels. CSE said that emissions were leading to serious ailments and diseases like cancer. Poor traffic management and growing number of vehicles is also adding to the scourge, it said.