Context:- Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata have recently been recognize among the global cities facing some of the most severe air quality issues. Air Quality Index of 483, 371, 206 & 162 reveal Poor Air Quality in Indian Cities. Learn how to improve air quality & the colors of the AQI.
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Details:
According to the real-time assessment conducted by the Swiss Group IQAir, New Delhi has taken the lead with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 483, followed by Lahore at 371.
Kolkata and Mumbai also featured among the top five cities severely affected by air pollution, scoring AQIs of 206 and 162, respectively.
About the Air Quality Index (AQI):
The AQI serves as an essential tool for simplifying complex air quality data into a comprehensible index value, nomenclature, and color codes to effectively communicate the current air quality status to the public.
It categorizes air quality into six classifications:
Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. Health breakpoints determine these categories based on ambient concentration values of various air pollutants and their potential health impacts.
Considering eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) that are part of short-term National Ambient Air Quality Standards, this index is established.
Factors Contributing to Poor Air Quality:
Vehicular Emissions:
In Delhi, the contribution of fine particulate matter PM2.5 from vehicles, industries, and open burning has surpassed 50%, signifying a significant impact from combustion sources.
Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide, primarily emitted by vehicles, indicate the substantial influence of vehicular pollution in the capital. This underscores the significant impact of vehicular emissions on air quality.
Industrial Pollution:
India hosts numerous heavy industries that contribute to air pollution. Manufacturing and power generation, especially from coal-fueled power plants and chemical production emissions, are the sources of this pollution.
Other Contributors:
Construction dust, crop residue burning, and fireworks also play roles in exacerbating air pollution levels in Indian cities.
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