Air Quality Index

Air pollution raises risk of eye infection, other ocular problems: Doctors

Air pollution is considered a reason for respiratory and cardiac problems. However, experts warn that it also increases the risk of eye infection and aggravates existing issues among those with ocular problems. Doctors hold fine particulates -- PM2.5 -- the main culprit for eye problems such as allergic conjunctivitis, scratches on the surface of the eyes, dryness, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light. "Every winter, my clinic sees a rise in the number of people complaining of red, itchy, watery, and burning eyes. The main reason is high air pollution, especially fine particles known as PM2.5," said Dr Ajay Sharma, co-founder of Eye Q Eye Hospital. PM2.5 includes tiny particulates from vehicle smoke, dust, burning waste, and firecrackers, he said, adding that these particles are so small that they easily enter the eyes and settle on the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye. Solid particles irritate and scratch the eye's surface, while liquid particles carry chemic

Delhi AQI remains 'very poor' amid dense fog; GRAP III curbs reimposed

Several areas in Delhi slipped into severe levels; GRAP Stage III has been enforced as cold wave and dense fog disrupt daily life

Grap 3 curbs enforced in Delhi-NCR as AQI may turn 'severe' in coming days

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas or CAQM on Friday invoked GRAP curbs after the air quality showed an increasing trend, according to officials. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi, which was 343 at 4 PM on Thursday, rose to 354 at 4 PM on Friday, the officials said. "Further, forecasts for weather ad meteorological conditions by the IMD/IITM indicate that due to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants, Delhi's average AQI is likely to breach the 400-mark and enter the severe' category in the coming days," a senior official said. "Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, AQI forecasts and to prevent further deterioration, the CAQM sub-committee on GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) today took the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-III of extant GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR as a proactive measure," the official

Delhi air quality stays 'very poor' amid cold wave, dense fog; AQI at 348

The national capital continued to breathe very poor air as pollution levels stayed high; a cold wave and widespread fog reduced visibility and added to travel disruptions across the region

Delhi AQI remains 'very poor' as city sees season's lowest temperature

Delhi's air quality stayed above 350 amid the cold wave, raising health concerns as dense fog disrupted travel and temperatures remained well below normal

Delhi air quality stays 'very poor' amid cold wave and persistent fog

Unfavourable winter conditions and weak winds prevented dispersion of pollutants, keeping Delhi's air quality in the 'very poor' category

Delhi air quality dips to 'very poor' as IMD issues cold wave alert

Delhi's air quality worsened to the 'very poor' category as temperatures fell to near-freezing levels, with the IMD issuing a cold wave alert and pollution levels crossing 300 at several monitoring st

Delhi air quality remains remains 'poor' as temperatures dips below 4°C

Delhi battles very poor air quality with dense fog as minimum temperature falls below 4 degrees Celsius, raising health concerns for residents across the city

Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' as dense fog disrupts air travel

Delhi reels under hazardous air quality as dense fog and cold wave conditions persist, reducing visibility, delaying flights and compounding daily hardships for residents across the city

Delhi air remains 'very poor' as rain fails to bring respite; AQI at 363

Fog and cold grip the capital as overall AQI stays in the very poor range at 363 early on Saturday, with multiple hotspots recording dangerous pollution levels despite recent rain

Air as an electoral issue: Cricket pullouts may push action in North India

Foreign cricket teams refusing to play in North India could spur government to act

Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' despite early morning rain across NCR

Delhi's overall AQI climbed to 325 at 8 am, with Anand Vihar and Nehru Nagar among the worst-polluted sites; 27 of 39 stations record air quality in the 'very poor' category

Delhi cold wave persists for third day; air quality remains 'poor'

Delhi continued to reel under bone-chilling cold wave conditions for the third day as daytime temperatures dropped sharply and air quality stayed poor, with the IMD warning of more cold days ahead

Delhi AQI nears 300 as fog, cold wave blanket city; schools shut in Noida

Delhi's AQI neared 300 as dense fog and smog reduced visibility. Low winds and cold conditions worsened pollution, while IMD forecast continued cold day conditions

Delhi AQI slips back to 'poor' as dense fog disrupts flights and travel

Delhi-NCR records 'poor' air quality as AQI rises to 292, with dense fog affecting visibility and causing flight delays, travel disruptions

Delhi AQI eases to 'poor', yet smog continues to disrupt flights, travel

Delhi's air auality index eased to 260 on Monday, but fog and trapped pollutants kept much of Delhi in the 'poor' and 'very poor' category

Delhi AQI today: Air quality improves to 'poor'; Grap III curbs lifted

Air quality in Delhi improved slightly with AQI improving to 'poor' and prompting CAQM to ease some curbs. However, fog and low visibility are expected to cause some travel disruptions

Delhi air quality improves to 'very poor'; many flights delayed due to fog

Second day of new year sees minor improvement in Delhi's air quality, but fog and pollution persist across most stations; AQI at 311

Delhi rings in New Year with 'very poor' air; IMD issues rain alert

Average AQI stood at 372 on January 1, with eight stations in the severe category and low visibility disrupting travel across the capital as the IMD issued a rain alert

Delhi's AQI stays 'severe' as nearly 100 flights cancelled due to dense fog

Delhi's air quality remains severe as dense fog disrupts flight and train services on New Year's eve, causing delays, cancellations and poor visibility across the capital