A day after Diwali, the air pollution across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Thursday morning was “severe” with nearly six times the average levels of deadly PM 2.5 (particulate matter) that lodges itself in the lungs and increases risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and even lung cancers.
According to the figures (till 9am Thursday) in the National Air Quality Index prepared by pollution-monitoring stations across Delhi, RK Puram had the highest level of PM 2.5 concentration at 405µg per cubic metre. This is nearly seven times the safe limit of 60µg per cubic metre.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), when air quality levels are “severe”, even healthy people are affected and those already suffering with diseases are seriously impacted.
RK Puram was followed by Anand Vihar with PM 2.5 concentration of 401 µg/m3, Punjabi Bagh (at 399 µg/m3) and Mandir Marg (at 372 µg/m3). The average level of PM 2.5 across seven pollution-monitoring stations of Delhi was 331, which is nearly five-and-a-half times the prescribed safe limit.
In the NCR region, levels of PM 2.5 in Faridabad, the city on the outskirts of Delhi, were recorded at 376 µg/m3.
The results are keeping in line with predictions of India’s meteorological department which had predicted that air pollution is likely to worsen after Diwali.
The air pollution forecast issued by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) of the ministry of earth sciences had issued a health warning on Monday, stating that there is serious risk of respiratory problems to people after prolonged exposure.
SAFAR had predicted that on Thursday, the day after Diwali, PM 2.5 level will increase from the average of the last 10 days by 148%. It had predicted that PM 2.5 will be near 430µg per cubic metre, which is more than seven times the safe limit of 60µg per cubic metre.
