New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality remained in the very poor category on Thursday, with an AQI of 351. This is just a slight improvement from Wednesday’s AQI of 364, which was the worst this season.
The main pollutants in Delhi’s air are particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. PM2.5 and PM10 are tiny particles in the air that can lodge deep in the lungs and cause serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and premature death. Ozone is a gas that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory problems. Nitrogen dioxide is a gas that can aggravate asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
There are a number of factors that contribute to Delhi’s poor air quality, including:
- Vehicle emissions: Vehicles are a major source of air pollution in Delhi. The city has a large number of cars, buses, and motorcycles, and many of them are old and poorly maintained.
- Industrial emissions: Delhi is home to a number of factories and other industrial facilities, which also emit pollutants into the air.
- Construction dust: Construction activity is another major source of air pollution in Delhi. The city is constantly under construction, and dust from construction sites can easily be blown into the air.
- Stubble burning: Farmers in neighboring states often burn their crop stubble after harvest, which sends smoke and pollutants into Delhi’s air.
Earlier on October 31, Supreme Court expressed grave concern over deteriorating air quality in the national capital, as it asked Delhi and four neighboring states to submit a report on steps they have taken to curb pollution. Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have been given a week time to submit a detailed account of the measures implemented to combat the situation. A three-judge bench headed by Justice SK Kaul and comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and PK Mishra will now hear the matter on November 7.