Background: Severe winter air pollution in Delhi continues to impact public health.
Relevance: GS 3 (Pollution)
- Air Quality Index (AQI): Delhi’s AQI reached 433, categorising it as “severe.”
- Health Risks: PM2.5 levels were over 16 times the WHO permissible limit, endangering health.
- Forecast: Poor air quality is likely to persist due to reduced wind speed.
- Government Action: Hybrid learning reinstated in schools for Classes 10 and 12.
- Health Impact: CPCB cautioned that severe pollution affects even healthy individuals.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
- Launched by the Central Government in 2014 under the Swachh Bharat Campaign.
- Objective: Simplify the common understanding of air pollution.
Key Features
- Converts complex air quality data from various pollutants into a single index value, nomenclature, and colour code.
- Measures pollutants such as:PM10PM2.5Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)Ozone (O₃)Carbon Monoxide (CO)Other harmful pollutants.
- Based on the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Data Representation
- Uses a 24-hour average of pollutant levels.
- Provides a colour-coded system for easy public and governmental understanding.
Purpose
- Helps in understanding the air quality condition.
- Guides the government and public on actionable measures to address pollution based on severity.
Six Categories of AQI
- Good (0-50): Minimal impact on health.
- Satisfactory (50-100): Minor breathing discomfort for sensitive individuals.
- Moderately Polluted (100-200): Breathing discomfort for people with respiratory issues.
- Poor (200-300): Breathing discomfort for most people with prolonged exposure.
- Very Poor (300-400): Significant health impact, especially for sensitive groups.
- Severe (400-500): Serious health impact, even on healthy individuals.
