 "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 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
 "Delhi air quality turn 'severe' as AQI crosses 400 across multiple hotspots")
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
 "Toxic cocktail of pollution during early winter in Delhi-NCR: CSE")
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
 "Delhi air stays 'very poor' as over 30 stations record AQI above 300")
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")
Delhi air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' levels, AQI crosses 300
Nehru Nagar in south Delhi recorded highest pollution levels among city neighbourhoods, with an AQI of 351. In contrast, NSIT Dwarka in southwest Delhi recorded 195, falling under 'moderate' category
Delhi-NCR records best Jan-Nov air quality in 8 years, excluding 2020
Officials said the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) continues to work with stakeholders across Delhi-NCR to enforce pollution control measures and improve air quality
 "Delhi-NCR records best Jan-Nov air quality in 8 years, excluding 2020")
A binding national plan is urgently needed to tackle air pollution
The key message from this 10-year study is that despite policy intervention and technological improvement, India's major cities continue to suffer major air-quality challenges
 "A binding national plan is urgently needed to tackle air pollution")
Delhi's Jan-Nov average AQI lowest since 2018, barring lockdown year: CAQM
The average AQI for the period this year was 187, compared to 201 in 2024, 190 in 2023, 199 in 2022, 197 in 2021, 172 in 2020, 203 in 2019 and 213 in 2018, the CAQM said in a statement
 "Delhi's Jan-Nov average AQI lowest since 2018, barring lockdown year: CAQM")
Road dust emerges as major pollutant in Delhi; 35 high-dust spots located
Out of the 321 stretches checked, 35 showed high levels of visible dust, 61 had moderate dust, 94 recorded low dust and 131 had no visible dust
 "Road dust emerges as major pollutant in Delhi; 35 high-dust spots located")
Congress unveils 10-point action plan to tackle Mumbai's air quality crisis
Former Maharashtra minister and Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad unveiled the document at Marine Drive along with other party leader
 "Congress unveils 10-point action plan to tackle Mumbai's air quality crisis")
After severe smog, Delhi's AQI slips to 'poor' but hotspots remain high
Shadipur recorded the highest pollution levels this morning at 336, followed by RK Puram at 308, both falling in the 'very poor' category
Delhi's AQI sees minor relief as winds improve, air remains 'very poor'
Meanwhile, Delhi continued to inhale 'unfit' air, with the average AQI recorded in the 'very poor' category for the 16th consecutive day
Delhi's air remains 'very poor' for 15th day despite slight improvement
City records average AQI of 338; more foggy, stagnant conditions expected to hinder pollution dispersion
Delhi AQI remains 'very poor' for half of Nov; no relief expected next week
The air quality is likely to remain 'very poor' over the coming week, according to the forecast by the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi
 "Delhi AQI remains 'very poor' for half of Nov; no relief expected next week")
Mumbai civic body issues stop-work order to construction sites as AQI dips
Amid worsening AQI, the civic body has halted work at 53 construction sites and rolled out hundreds of AQI monitoring sensors across the city
Delhi's air quality turns 'severe' as 19 stations record AQI above 400
Pollution spikes across Delhi-NCR as residents struggle with toxic air; offline classes resume even as AQI crosses 400 at several stations
 "Delhi's air quality turns 'severe' as 19 stations record AQI above 400")
Delhi chokes on dense smog as AQI nears 400; GRAP III curbs revoked
Air quality slipped back to the 'very poor' range today with AQI readings close to 400, even as CAQM withdrew GRAP Stage 3 measures
