Air Quality in Delhi Turns Very Poor

                                            

Air Quality in Delhi Turns Very Poor

AQI at 9 pm on Thursday was at 333, according to SAFAR, which monitors air quality in the capital. The overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 332, which falls in the 'very poor category. The PM10 level (particles between 2.5 and 10 μm) was recorded at 291 and the PM2.5 level (particles between 1 and 2.5 μm) was recorded at 153, both in the 'severe' category, it said.

• The air pollution in Delhi hit its peak on Thursday

It dipped to such alarming levels that it turned 'very poor' as per India's official Air Quality Index. Today, at around 4:15 PM local time or 11:45 AM IST, according to CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), AQI (Air Quality Index) reached 331 which is a record high. Air pollution has been an issue of concern for Delhi's residents and government agencies alike for many years now but pollution levels have never crossed the 300 mark before. The scale ranges from 0-500 while moderate level falls between 201-300. Good quality air has an index of 0-100 while severe quality is 301-400. Hazardous quality air is above 400 on the pollution index with very poor air being between 301 and 500

• The air quality index (AQI) in major cities like New Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad is hovering between very poor and severe levels.

According to a report by a private agency, air quality deteriorated further. The AQI was recorded at 331 (which falls under the very poor category) and 316 respectively in New Delhi and Gurugram. In Faridabad too, it hovered between moderate and poor with an AQI of 301. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said that wind speeds are expected to remain calm throughout Wednesday while there may be a temporary increase or decrease in moisture near surface level.

 Temperatures will hover around 30 degrees Celsius in north India for three days, he added. As per the SAFAR forecast for New Delhi, PM2.5 levels (fine particulate matter) are likely to reach 150-200 micrograms per cubic meter on Tuesday due to the slow movement of pollutants from stubble burning as well as local emissions.

• According to SAFAR (System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting And Research), the overall air quality index was recorded at 331, which falls under the ‘very poor category.

PM10 concentration was recorded at 248 and PM2.5 at 172. Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said the overall air quality index is recorded at 331 which falls under the 'very poor category. The PM10 concentration was recorded at 248 and PM2.5 at 172. Immediate causes for deterioration of air quality were stubble burning and vehicular pollution, it said. During morning hours, AQI between 299 to 334 was observed across many parts of NCR including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Bahadurgarh Dhanbad, and some parts of Delhi, it said.

 The government had yesterday extended a ban on construction activities for five more days till November 11 as part of its measures to curb air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. It has also banned diesel generator sets that are over 10 years old from plying in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. The Supreme Court had last month set a two-week deadline for authorities to ensure that there was no burning of leaves or waste in and around Delhi NCR but with no success.

The deteriorating air quality will increase the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergies, and infections like cold, cough, and flu among people sensitive to such pollutants. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are at greater risk for health effects associated with exposure to ozone and fine particles. Ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is created when other pollutants react in sunlight. Burning fuels give off several types of pollution that react together to form ozone.

• Meanwhile, PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometers) level was recorded at 208 while the PM10 level was recorded as 280. Section

Air quality turns very poor; PM10 level at 281 in Delhi. Meanwhile, PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometers) level was recorded at 208 while the PM10 level was recorded as 280. The overall AQI for Delhi was recorded as 331 which falls under the 'very poor category, according to CPCB officials. The major pollutant is NO2. It mainly comes from the burning of fossil fuels like petrol and diesel in vehicles and chimneys, Bhure Lal, chairman of CPCB said.

 The drop in temperature has not led to lower levels of pollution yet because it had become almost static over the past few days due to winds from adjoining states, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director-research, and advocacy at CSE. According to official data released by SAFAR, wind speed remained close to zero m/s or below on Sunday morning too. Section: Delhi continues facing bad air quality section PM2.5 and PM10 levels have been found above 300 units, said Bhure Lal, Chairman of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It's time for emergency measures. Since last week's Diwali celebrations saw the bursting of firecrackers across cities, no action plan has been put in place till now.