November 1, 2024
Table of content
- Delhi air quality drops to ‘very poor’ category post-Diwali; other cities affected, too
- Delhi air quality drops to ‘very poor’ category post-Diwali; other cities affected, too:
The majority of the capital’s areas have an Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 350, causing significant health concerns among its residents.
Delhi Air Pollution Rises 14 Times WHO Limit
- Delhi’s air pollution on Friday, November 1, 2024, was 14 times WHO’s permissible limit.
- PM2.5 level was 209.3 micrograms per cubic meter at 8 a.m., exceeding WHO’s 15 micrograms per cubic meter for a 24-hour period.
- Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data shows PM2.5 levels in some parts of the city exceeded the WHO limit after firecrackers were thrown, but improved over time.
- Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai have reported significant pollution levels, particularly after Diwali celebrations, affecting large areas across India, raising concerns about air quality and potential health impacts.
- The air quality index in the capital, including Anand Vihar, Aya Nagar, Jahangirpuri, and Dwarka, exceeded 350, causing health concerns among residents.
India’s Air Quality Index (AQI) Overview
- Measures pollutants like Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Carbon monoxide (CO), and Ozone (O3).
- Rates air quality on a scale from 0 to 500, categorized into “Good” (0-50), “Moderate” (51-100), “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (101-200), “Unhealthy (201-300),” “Very Unhealthy” (301-400), and “Hazardous” (401-500).
- Provides health advisories based on the index level, guiding public on precautions like limiting outdoor activities.
- Generated from real-time data from monitoring stations across major cities.
- Uses AQI to raise awareness about air pollution and promote policies to improve air quality.
About WHO
Formation: 7 April 1948
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Director General: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
