 "What is Air Quality Index (AQI)")
Air Quality Index
What is Air Quality Index (AQI)
The air quality index (AQI) is an index for reporting air quality on a daily basis. It is a measure of how air pollution affects one's health within a short time period. The purpose of the AQI is to help people know how the local air quality impacts their health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants, for which national air quality standards have been established to safeguard public health.
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Latest Updates on Air Quality Index
Delhi-NCR invokes Grap Stage-IV curbs amid sharp dip in air quality
Under this stage, the entry of trucks into Delhi is stopped, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services
 "Delhi-NCR invokes Grap Stage-IV curbs amid sharp dip in air quality")
Delhi covered in dense smog as multiple areas record 'severe' AQI
Persistent fog and low winds trap pollutants as winter sets in, reducing visibility and disrupting daily life across the capital
 "Delhi covered in dense smog as multiple areas record 'severe' AQI")
Explained: How India handles pollution and what WHO air guidelines say
The government says India sets its own air quality standards and does not follow WHO guidelines; cities are ranked under NCAP, with top performers rewarded annually
 "Explained: How India handles pollution and what WHO air guidelines say")
Smog blankets Delhi as air quality worsens, 28 stations see 'very poor' AQI
Smog remained widespread across Delhi and NCR, with Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar, Rohini, and NSIT Dwarka among the worst-hit hotspots
 "Smog blankets Delhi as air quality worsens, 28 stations see 'very poor' AQI")
India sets own air standards, WHO guidelines not binding, says govt
Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said India has already notified its National Ambient Air Quality Standards for 12 pollutants to protect public health and environmental quality
 "India sets own air standards, WHO guidelines not binding, says govt")
Delhi air quality dips to 'very poor' again as cold wave tightens grip
After a brief respite, Delhi's air quality dipped again on Thursday, with at least 10 stations recording AQIs above 300. Rising pollution and falling temperatures are worsening citizens' discomfort
 "Delhi air quality dips to 'very poor' again as cold wave tightens grip")
Delhi air remains toxic as AQI stays poor; winter cold worsens smog
NSIT, Dwarka, and Bawana recorded the worst air quality on Wednesday, though Aya Nagar, IGI Airport T3, and Mandir Marg recorded AQI in the 'moderate' category
 "Delhi air remains toxic as AQI stays poor; winter cold worsens smog")
Delhi air quality improves slightly, overall AQI in 'poor' category today
Seventeen of the city's 39 monitoring stations still recorded AQI levels above 300, but most showed signs of improvement compared with last week
 "Delhi air quality improves slightly, overall AQI in 'poor' category today")
Drop in AQI levels across India lead to rise in respiratory drugs sales
Winter triggered ailments no longer just a seasonal fluctuation but an escalating public health trigger due to air pollution, say experts
 "Drop in AQI levels across India lead to rise in respiratory drugs sales")
Delhi's AQI remains 'very poor'; CM criticises anti-pollution protests
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta criticised recent protests over air pollution, questioning why similar demonstrations were absent during previous administrations
 "Delhi's AQI remains 'very poor'; CM criticises anti-pollution protests")
Delhi's air stays 'very poor' as smog deepens, cold wave grips North India
Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category as dense smog blanketed the city, while a cold wave swept through north India. Pollution levels surged, with several hotspots crossing the 300
 "Delhi's air stays 'very poor' as smog deepens, cold wave grips North India")
Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor', temperature drop adds to woes
Delhi-NCR continues to be under dense smog with 35 of 39 monitoring stations recording 'very poor' AQI. Temperatures have also hit the lowest so far this year
 "Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor', temperature drop adds to woes")
Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' as govt steps up anti-pollution drive
Government ramps up mist spray units, intensifies dust and debris control, and urges citizens to report pollution issues via the MCD-311 app for faster action
 "Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' as govt steps up anti-pollution drive")
Delhi air pollution toll: Over 200,000 emergency visits in past 3 years
Parliament data and an ICMR multi-city study show pollution spikes tracking a surge in Delhi breathing emergencies, with over 200,000 ER visits since 2022 and admissions rising
 "Delhi air pollution toll: Over 200,000 emergency visits in past 3 years")
Delhi AQI remains very poor as city braces for extreme cold, smoggy skies
Delhi's air quality remains very poor with most monitoring stations recording an air quality index (AQI) above 300
 "Delhi AQI remains very poor as city braces for extreme cold, smoggy skies")
Delhi air quality turn 'severe' as AQI crosses 400 across multiple hotspots
Delhi's air quality slips into severe levels again, with most areas under smog. AQI readings above 400 at key hotspots signal serious health risks, while forecasts show little relief
Toxic cocktail of pollution during early winter in Delhi-NCR: CSE
Despite a significantly lower contribution from farm fires this season, Delhi's air quality has still slipped into the very poor to severe, pointing to the impact of local pollution sources
Delhi air stays 'very poor' as over 30 stations record AQI above 300
City records average AQI of 333; falling temperatures, and lower wind speed hinder dispersion of pollutants
Mumbai enforces GRAP-IV measures as AQI worsens: How it differs from Delhi
Mumbai enforces GRAP-IV curbs as air quality worsens in several areas; construction, industries checked, flying squads deployed
 "Mumbai enforces GRAP-IV measures as AQI worsens: How it differs from Delhi")
Air pollution: A four-point plan to help tackle the ever-growing menace
As a first step, the state, through the FCI or a new agency created for this purpose, should buy all the rice crop waste of North India at a remunerative price
 "Air pollution: A four-point plan to help tackle the ever-growing menace")
