Delhi pollution
Delhi air quality Measured as severely toxic on Tuesday, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI), which measures pollutants, reached 494, the highest pollution category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index was recorded at 500 at most monitoring stations in the national capital. The air has become so poisonous that the entire capital has become a gas chamber. Not only Delhi but its surrounding areas are also affected by pollution. All schools in Delhi-NCR have been conducted online.
Delhi’s air quality index has been recorded between 494 and 500, but you must have noticed that in some places the AQI is reported above 1000. The current AQI of Delhi is said to be 1600, which is surprising. If you don’t know whether to consider 494 or 1600, clear up this confusion. This is due to international monitoring app, IQAir, which has shown Delhi’s AQI at 1,600.
Delhi ICA
AQI measurement scale in India
AQI works in a very simple way in India and it is very important to understand it. It usually has a score between 0 and 500. The higher the AQI value, the higher the level of air pollution. Furthermore, it will also cause more health-related problems. For example, an AQI level of 50 indicates good air quality, which does not have any harmful effects on human health. At the same time, level 300 is very dangerous and can cause serious damage to health.
How polluted is Delhi’s air?
Why is Delhi AQI shown as 1,600?
Actually, different countries have different standards for measuring air quality index. It varies from one country to another depending on the pollutants and their measurement scale. In India, the scale for measuring 2.5 pollutants is 60, while in some countries that follow the World Health Organization (WHO) standard it is five or ten. Similarly, India’s AQI caps at 500, meaning an air quality index above this is a big warning that pollution levels are extremely serious.
air pollution in delhi
According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, between 51 and 100 satisfactory, between 101 and 200 moderate, between 201 and 300 poor, between 301 and 400 very poor, between 401 and 450 severe and above 450 a 500 Severe-plus, the highest level of pollution in India. On the other hand, the highest level (over 500) is considered “hazardous” by IQAir, which is based on a US model developed by the country’s Environmental Protection Agency.
How do international agencies monitor India’s AQI?
International agencies like IQAir have installed sensors at some places in Delhi-NCR. However, there is no clear information whether the sensors are installed in the correct place in the standard equipment or not.
What AQI monitor should we follow?
There is no particular monitor of right or wrong in India; citizens should consider the AQI released by CPCB, which has 40 stations in Delhi-NCR to assess pollution.
GRAP 4 is applicable in Delhi
As the air quality in Delhi-NCR recorded in the ‘severe plus’ category on Monday, the Delhi government, in addition to the first three phases, implemented Phase 4 of the Graduated Response Action Plan (GRAP), an anti-pollution plan . Under this, a ban has been imposed on BS-IV or older diesel heavy and medium vehicles registered in Delhi. All trucks and light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, except those carrying essential goods or providing essential services, will not be allowed to enter the national capital.
Additionally, public and private offices have been asked to operate at 50 percent capacity and the rest have been advised to work from home. All schools have been closed or gone online.
