Delhi’s air quality touched a new low as many areas like Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 600 and above, the worst this season so far, according to the data received. Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital stood at 317 as of 8 am on Monday. While this was marginally better than the AQI of 382 recorded the previous day, the toxic air still poses a serious health risk for residents.
The deteriorating air quality in the national capital has triggered a 30-40 per cent surge in respiratory cases, with children and the elderly found to be the most vulnerable.
An AQI, which is a report of the quality of air in a region, is considered ‘poor’ between 200 and 300, ‘very poor’ between 301 and 400, severe at 401 and 450, and above 450 is “severe-plus,” which can cause damaging health concerns to residents.
While people anticipate the arrival of the winter season, the weather body has also predicted that above-normal minimum temperatures are likely to persist in the first half of November in many parts of India. Following the warmest October on record in 124 years, India is expected to see warmer weather initially in November, with temperatures gradually dipping in the latter half.
AQI Above WHO-Prescribed Limit
Earlier on Sunday, a thick layer of smog engulfed the national capital, and the AQI was recorded above 300 in most areas, making Delhi-NCR’s PM2.5 levels over 50 times more threatening than the WHO-prescribed limit, according to the AQICN data.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following air pollution limits:
- PM2.5: The annual average concentration should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). The 24-hour average exposure should not exceed 15 µg/m3 more than 3–4 days per year.
- NO2: The annual average concentration should not exceed 10 µg/m3.
- Ozone: The peak season mean 8-hour concentration should not exceed 60 µg/m3.
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