Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Key Difference Between Poor, Very Poor and Severe AQI Score

According to the World Air Quality Index Report 2024, New Delhi is the second most polluted city in the world, with an average AQI of 207.

Pollution levels in India are increasing every day due to a combination of factors such as industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust and crop burning.

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The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to combat air pollution, including promoting the use of electric vehicles and enforcing stricter industrial emission standards.

Despite these efforts, pollution prevention in India remains a major challenge that requires continued collaboration between government, industry and citizens.

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Prakash Javadekar launched the National Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) reported.

During the event, Shri Javadekar described AQI as “a number, a color, a description” that allows the public to easily assess the air quality in their area.

The index has been developed as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission. Let’s take a closer look at what AQI is and how it helps monitor and improve air quality across the country.

For you:

What is air quality index?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardized system used to communicate air quality in a specific area, indicating how polluted the air is currently or is predicted to be. It is a tool to raise public awareness of air pollution levels and their potential health effects.

Main features of AQI

1) Measurement of pollutants: AQI is calculated based on the concentrations of five major air pollutants specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

• Ground level ozone
• Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
• carbon monoxide
• sulfur dioxide
• nitrogen dioxide

2) Color-coded categories: AQI is divided into six categories, each category is represented by a specific color and corresponding health effects:

color	category	Air quality index range	describe
green	OK	0-50	The air quality is satisfactory and there is little or no risk.
yellow	ease	51-100	Air quality is acceptable; some pollutants may affect sensitive individuals.
orange	Unhealthy for sensitive groups	101-150	Sensitive groups may experience health effects; the general public is less likely to be affected.
red	bad	151-200	The health of the general public may be affected, but the impact on sensitive groups will be more severe.
purple	very unhealthy	201-300	Everyone is at increased risk for health effects.
maroon	dangerous	301+	Emergency health warning; everyone is more likely to be affected.

health effects

As AQI values ​​rise, so do the associated health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular disease. For example:

AQI values ​​above 100 indicate that the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, while values ​​above 150 may affect the general population.

Purpose and use

The primary purpose of the AQI is to inform the public about current air quality conditions so that they can take appropriate actions to protect their health.

This includes limiting outdoor activities on days when the AQI indicates poor air quality, especially during high-pollution events such as wildfires or traffic congestion.

The AQI provides an important framework for understanding air quality and its potential impact on public health, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about their outdoor activities based on current air conditions.

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What are the main pollutants measured by AQI?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures several key pollutants to assess air quality and its potential health effects. The main pollutants included in AQI are:

• Ground-level ozone (O₃): Harmful air pollutants formed by chemical reactions between volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides under sunlight.
• Particulate matter (PM): This includes two categories:
• PM2.5: Particles 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
• PM10: Particles 10 microns or smaller in diameter that can be inhaled and cause breathing problems.
• Carbon monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning fossil fuels that interferes with the body’s ability to transport oxygen.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2): A reddish-brown gas that causes the formation of smog and is produced by vehicle emissions and industrial processes.
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2): A gas produced when sulfur-containing fossil fuels are burned and can cause respiratory problems and contribute to acid rain.

In some areas, other pollutants such as ammonia (NH₃) and lead (Pb) are also monitored under specific AQI frameworks.

These pollutants are assessed based on their concentration in the air, and the AQI provides the public with a clear indication of air quality levels and associated health risks.

in conclusion

With the introduction of AQI, monitoring air quality and communicating potential health risks to the public has become much more efficient. This has led to increased awareness and action in many cities around the world to reduce pollution levels.

Although the air quality index in many cities and states in India currently exceeds 200, the Indian government has implemented various initiatives to address air pollution issues, such as the National Clean Air Plan.

In addition, public information campaigns have been launched to educate citizens on the importance of reducing emissions and improving air quality.

With these strategies and policies, India’s air quality is sure to improve significantly in the coming years. Collaboration between government efforts and public engagement is critical to achieving cleaner, healthier air for all residents.

Also Read | Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in India (2024) | Delhi Tops the List

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
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