Air quality barely improves after Diwali

While the air quality in the Capital improved a bit on Sunday from 'severe' to 'very poor', experts said it was still 'unhealthy' and more efforts were needed to cut down on emissions. During Diwali, the air quality had stooped to 'severe' level for the first time in 2017.

The air quality index (AQI) of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) was recorded as 'very poor', at a score of 319 ug/m3. The prescribed PM 2.5 level for healthy air is 60 ug/m3.

"The air quality has gone back to Pre-Diwali levels. It can be said there is an improvement after Diwali. The wind speed picked up over the last 24 hours, which helped disperse the pollutants hanging in air and forming a thick layer of smog," said Vivek Chattopadhyaya, senior scientist and project manager, Clean Air Campaign, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Delhi air quality is measured against PM 2.5 levels, as this is the most prominent pollutant in the Capital's air.

Seven of the eight monitoring stations under SAFAR recorded 'very poor' air quality — Mathura Road (334), Indira Gandhi International Airport (335), Lodhi Road (321), Delhi University (339), Pitampura (319), Dhirpur (304), and Noida (323).

According to experts, the air quality may improve in the coming days, if the wind speed does not drop.

A day after Diwali, which was on October 19, city hospitals saw a surge in cases of respiratory illness and irritation in eyes.

If the AQI is in 'very poor' category, people may develop respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. When it is in 'severe' category, it can have adverse effects even on healthy adults.

The air quality showed such deterioration despite the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb air pollution coming into force from October 15. GRAP, which has an advisory for each category of air pollution, will be in force in Delhi-NCR between October 15 and March 15. The plan came into existence last November, after the national Capital witnessed layers of smog after Diwali, with air turning almost poisonous.

VERY POOR QUALITY

• The air quality index (AQI) of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) was recorded as ‘very poor’, at a score of 319 ug/m3.
   
• The prescribed PM 2.5 level for healthy air is 60 ug/m3.r.