The Air Quality Index crossed 500 in Delhi on Sunday because the air quality had been deteriorating in the national capital for several reasons. The city recorded an overall AQI of the ‘hazardous’ category, thus being particularly injurious to the health of its residents and the residents living in surrounding areas.
According to the IQAir website data, a thick layer of smog blankets the national capital as the AQI levels shot up to 507. PM2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR were recorded over 65 times more than the WHO-prescribed limit, which is 15 µg/m3 for 24-hour average exposures. PM2.5 refers to smaller particles or droplets that are a major component of air pollution and can result in health issues.
According to IQAir data, Delhi is now the world’s second-most polluted metropolis. The AQI level jumped from 327 to a hazardous 507 in 12 hours.
According to CPCB data, weather-monitoring stations at Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aaya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Mathura Road, IGI Airport, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Patparganj, Rohini, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, Wazirpur, Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, Najafgarh and others recorded AQI in ‘inferior’ category.
According to AQI standards, air quality between 200 and 300 is considered ‘poor’, between 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and above 400 ‘severe’. The AQI value needs to be well above 300 for air quality to be hazardous to health.
