Air quality improves slightly from ‘emergency’ to ‘severe’ in Delhi
The national capital witnessed slight improvement in air quality from “emergency” to “severe” category on Tuesday.
On a scale of 0 to 500, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded 403 on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
On Monday, the AQI at the same time was 415. The AQI had worsened to 435 by Monday evening.
The shallow fog in the morning got mixed up with the pollutants that lead to smog in the national Capital, according to the India Meteorological Department.
On Tuesday, there was a slight drop in moisture, which was good for dispersion of pollutants.
The pollution monitoring agencies said that the extra load of pollutants coming from stubble burning from neighbouring states also registered a slight drop, leading to slight improvement—though still in the danger zone.
“The condition is expected to prevail till Diwali,” said the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
However, it might improve if no additional emission from firecrackers add to Delhi’s air, it added.
The average volume of particle pollutant PM2.5 , or particles with a diametre less than 2.5 mm, was 257 microgrammes per cubic meters, considered “severe”.
The safe limit of PM2.5 and PM10 is under-60 and 100 units, as per national standards. The international standards are 25 units for PM2.5 and 50 units for PM10.
(With IANS inputs)
