Page 21 - Air Pollution

Delhi's air quality remains in 'very poor' category, AQI stands at 322

An intense cold wave swept through Delhi early Wednesday, causing a sharp drop in temperatures and bringing chilly winds

Indian cities reduced PM2.5 pollution levels by 27% from 2019-24: Report

Indian cities achieved an average 27 per cent reduction in PM2.5 pollution levels from 2019 to 2024, with those under NCAP alone recording a 24 per cent decline, a new report has found. According to the report by climate tech firm Respirer Living Sciences, Varanasi and Moradabad reduced PM2.5 levels by 76 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively. Other top performers include Kalaburagi (57.2 per cent), Meerut (57.1 per cent), Katni (56.3 per cent), Agra (54.1 per cent), Baghpat (53.3 per cent), Kanpur (51.2 per cent) and Jodhpur (50.5 per cent). "Air quality has improved considerably, with a 27 per cent decline in PM2.5 levels across all monitored cities since 2019. NCAP (National Clean Air Programme) cities alone achieved a 24 per cent reduction, showing progress in combating air pollution," according to the report. Despite the improvements, several cities remain highly polluted. In 2024, Delhi recorded PM2.5 levels of 107 microgrammes per cubic metre while Byrnihat in Assam report

Delhi AQI remains in 'very poor' category as mercury dips further

Despite the rain lashing parts of the national capital on Monday, December 6, Delhiites did not get any relief from the worsening air quality

Delhi air quality improves slightly but remains 'very poor' for 5th day

Experts anticipate that the air quality will improve to the "poor" range by Tuesday, thanks to the expected rainfall

Delhi chokes as air quality stays 'very poor'; AQI hits 400 in many areas

The AQI levels fell into the "severe" category in areas like RK Puram (401), Siri Fort (426), Patparganj (410), and Dwarka Sector-8 (405), among others

Delhi's air quality worsens; 'very poor' AQI prompts GRAP Stage III curbs

In response to the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the reimplementation of stricter pollution control measures under Grap Stage III

Mumbai's Navy Nagar, Shivaji Nagar reports poor air quality of AQI over 200

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday said it was monitoring pollution levels in Navy Nagar and Shivaji Nagar as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in these areas has exceeded 200. It will implement the same measures in these two areas as implemented in Borivali East and Byculla where the air quality has improved, said municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. An AQI between 200 and 300 denotes 'poor' air quality. "Currently we are keeping a watch on Navy Nagar and Shivaji Nagar," the commissioner said at a press conference. If the situation (AQI level above 200) remains unchanged, action such as stopping construction works will be taken, Gagrani added. Navy Nagar is located on the southern tip of Mumbai's Island City, while Shivaji Nagar is part of the eastern suburbs of the megapolis. Navy Nagar mainly houses defense installations, while the Deonar dumping ground and several other polluting establishments are located close to Shivaji Nagar. The AQI in Borivali East, a

Delhi's air quality worsens; 'very poor' air, thick fog reduce visibility

Delhi International Airport issued advisories warning passengers of potential flight delays due to low visibility conditions

Delhi's air quality worsens, AQI remains in 'poor' category for 3rd day

Earlier in the week, on Monday, the capital saw a temporary improvement in air quality, with levels shifting to the "moderate" category after heavy rainfall over the weekend

Delhi's air quality remains poor; AQI dips marginally on New Year's Day

In 2024, Delhi witnessed a continued deterioration in air quality, enduring the highest number of 'severe' AQI days since 2022

After a brief respite, Delhi's air quality turns 'poor' on New Year's Eve

Thanks to the rain spells over the weekend, Delhi's average AQI this December was 294, making it the cleanest December since AQI monitoring began in 2015

Delhi records best Dec air with avg AQI of 294 since system began in 2015

With an average Air Quality Index of 294, Delhi has recorded its cleanest December air since the introduction of the AQI system in 2015. This improvement can be attributed to strong, consistent winds in the first half of the month and record-breaking rainfall in the second, officials said. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), December marked Delhi's cleanest first half ever, with only one 'very poor' air day recorded between December 1 and December 15. On Monday, the AQI stood at 173, in the "moderate" category, a significant improvement from Sunday's 225 (poor). This marked the eighth moderate air quality day this month, with the capital previously recording no more than three moderate days in December. The lowest AQI of this month was recorded on December 28, at 139, marking the cleanest December day on record. The average AQI during this period stood at 238, significantly lower than the usual AQI of over 300 for this time of year. In comparison, .

Delhi's air quality remains 'moderate' after record rains, AQI at 183

Intermittent showers over the past few days have helped reduce pollution levels in the national capital

Air quality in Delhi turns moderate; Noida, Gurugram sees satisfactory AQI

On Friday, the restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) III were revoked in Delhi-NCR after the air quality improved following a day of continuous showers

Delhi's air quality turns 'moderate' after rain; GRAP III measures lifted

Intermittent showers over the past two days have reduced pollution levels in the national capital

Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' amid cold wave and fog conditions

In the National Capital Region (NCR), cold wave and fog conditions persisted, with the minimum temperature dropping to 8.4 degrees Celsius

Delhi's AQI improves to 'very poor', maximum temp at 23.4 degree Celsius

Delhi's air quality improved to the 'very poor' category on Saturday, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 370, officials said. The national capital's AQI stood at 429 in the 'severe' category on Friday, they said. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 23.4 degree Celsius, a notch above the season's average, while the minimum temperature settled at 7.6 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season's average, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The city experienced fog in the morning hours, with humidity levels oscillating between100 per cent and 64 per cent, the department said. The weather office has predicted moderate fog on Sunday with the maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 24 and eight degrees Celsius, respectively.

Delhi gasps for air: Toxic smog turns city into a hazard zone at 434 AQI

Delhi chokes under a blanket of toxic smog as the AQI soars to a hazardous 434, prompting health warnings for vulnerable groups and urging residents to remain indoors

Delhi's air quality remains in 'severe' category, average AQI at 429

Delhiites continued to breathe toxic air as the air quality on Friday remained in the severe category, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 429. The predominant pollutant was PM2.5, the fine particulate matter that poses serious health risks, as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Of the 36 monitoring stations across the city, 14 reported air quality in the 'Severe Plus' category, with AQI readings above 450. The remaining stations recorded AQI levels in the 'Severe' range, between 401 and 450. These levels signify a significant deterioration in air quality, which is considered life-threatening for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions. The maximum temperature on Friday was 23 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than the usual for this time of year. The day started with a cool, misty morning and high humidity, which fluctuated between 95 per cent and 71 per cent throughout the

Air pollution linked to more hospitalisations for all causes, finds study

A research has found an increased hospital admissions for all causes, including mental illnesses, in relation to a long-term exposure to air pollution. The Scottish study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open, found that a higher exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) combined was linked to a higher hospitalisations for cardiovascular, respiratory and infectious diseases. Researchers from the University of St Andrews, UK, found that for every one micron per cubic metre increase in PM2.5 and NO2 pollutants, the incidence for hospitalisations for respiratory conditions rose by over four per cent and one per cent, respectively. Further, higher hospital admissions for mental or behavioural disorders were associated with an increased exposure to nitrogen dioxide. While the average yearly levels of NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 were lower than the 2005 World Health Organization guidelines, the levels of NO2 and PM2.5 were higher than those in the