Page 2 - Air Quality

Air quality very poor in Kolkata on New Year's Day as people burst crackers

Air quality in Kolkata remained 'very poor' on New Year's Day on Sunday as revellers burst firecrackers after midnight. West Bengal Pollution Control Board, however, maintained that air quality index (AQI) remains poor during this time of the year as fine particulate matter remain suspended closer to the ground and get mixed with fog. It also claimed that fewer firecrackers were burst this year on the occasion of New Year. AQI of 314 (PM 2.5) was recorded at Bidhannagar, 303 at Victoria Memorial and 319 at Rabindra Bharati University around 5 pm on Sunday, all categorised as very poor. On the previous day, AQI of 336 (PM 2.5) was recorded in Bidhannagar, 320 at Victoria Memorial and 316 in Rabindra Bharati University, a WBPCB official said, emphasising that air quality almost remained the same and bursting of fireworks did not have any significant impact on it. The Ballygunge air monitoring station recorded AQI of 269 on Sunday, less than Saturday's AQI of 294, he said. An AQI of

Pollution levels remain high in northern India due to rain deficit: Experts

Bad air quality days continue to haunt the Indo-Gangetic Plains with the air quality Index (AQI) oscillating between 'poor' and 'severe' categories

Air in North India turns 'poor' again as rains play truant, winds go slow

Plunge in AQI attributed to 'winter inversion', where cooler air is trapped under a warmer layer, creating an atmospheric blanket that traps pollutants closer to the Earth's surface

Bihar accounts for 6 out of 10 Indian cities with worst air pollution

While the temperature is dipping across most of the country, the Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to remain above severe in most of the cities

Delhi's air quality slips back to 'very poor' category with AQI at 337

Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded on Tuesday at 337 by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)

Delhi sees lowest number of severe air quality days in Nov since 2015: CPCB

Delhi logged just three 'severe' air quality days in November this year, the lowest since 2015, when the Central Pollution Control Board started maintaining Air Quality Index data. The monthly average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 320, the second best after 2019 when it was 312. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. Experts attributed the relatively better air quality to the dip in the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution, moderately favourable meteorological conditions and proactive implementation of curbs on pollution-causing activities. Delhi had recorded 12 'severe' air quality days in November last year, nine in 2020, seven in 2019, five in 2018, seven in 2017, 10 in 2016 and six in 2015. The average AQI in November stood at 380 last year, 328 in 2020, 312 in 2019, 335 in 2018, 361 in 2017, 374 in 2016 and 358 in 2015. According to the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Punjab, which accounts for t

Bihar to launch action plan for tackling rising air pollution; AQI over 400

Expressing concern over the rising level of air pollution in the state, the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) said on Tuesday that it will soon publish an action plan to tackle the menace. Talking to reporters, BSPCB chairman Ashok Kumar Ghosh said consistent efforts are needed for a few years to see visible improvement in the air quality of the state. "We are coordinating with different departments, including road and building construction, agriculture, environment and urban development, for reducing air pollution levels in the state. The rising levels of air pollution in several cities of the state are a matter of serious concern," he said. "We need to put in consistent efforts for a couple of years to see visible improvement in air quality. The BSPCB will soon come out with its own action plan for all stakeholders to curb air pollution in the state," he added. The new action plan will also include non-attainment cities such as Patna, Muzaffarpur and Gaya, Ghosh ...

Beijing is tackling its air pollution problem; Why can't New Delhi?

The return of smog season in India's capital has again left residents asking why nothing has changed; the answer may be largely political

No need to invoke GRAP's stage 3 in Delhi-NCR for now: Air quality panel

The Centre' air quality panel on Friday said the ongoing anti-pollution actions under stages I and II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will continue in Delhi-NCR and there is no need for invoking curbs under stage III at present. In view of the improvement in the air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had on Monday directed authorities to revoke the curbs enforced in Delhi-NCR under stage three of GRAP, including a ban on construction and demolition activities, barring essential projects. The sub-committee for invoking anti-pollution curbs under GRAP held a meeting on Wednesday to review the air quality situation and the progress of the actions implemented in the region. The panel has decided that the ongoing actions under "stages 1 and 2 of GRAP shall continue and there does not seem a need to invoke Stage III of GRAP at this stage", the CAQM said in a statement. "According to the dynamic model and weather/meteorological forecast provided by the Ind

Fix timeline to rectify cause of poor AQI at hotspots: NHRC asks Delhi govt

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Delhi government to fix a timeline to rectify the cause of poor air quality at hotspots and inquired about the status of alternative landfill sites. The NHRC on Friday held the third hearing of chief secretaries of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi on air pollution in Delhi NCR in light of reports submitted by them in response to its directions in the last meeting. Seeking further reports, the next date of hearing has been fixed for November 25. "The commission asked the Delhi government to fix a timeline to find out and rectify the cause of poor air quality at the hot spots and when these will become normal. The commission also enquired about the status of alternative landfill sites for garbage disposal and cleaning thereof," it said in a statement. While taking note of some of the actions taken by the state governments to control air pollution by managing stubble, dust, and hospital sewage, among others, the panel ..

As air quality improves, panel revokes Stage III of GRAP in Delhi-NCR

The sub-committee for taking actions to reduce air pollution under Graded Response Action Plan held a review meeting on Monday

Delhi's air quality improves to 'poor', max temp settles at 31.2 deg C

Delhi's air quality on Monday improved to the poor category while the maximum temperature was recorded at 31.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season's average. The capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 294. It was 303 on Sunday, as was on Saturday. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday directed authorities to revoke the curbs enforced in Delhi-NCR under stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan with immediate effect. This means construction and demolition activities can resume in the region. However, user agencies need to strictly follow dust control norms. The CAQM noted that Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday (294) was about 100 points below the threshold for invoking GRAP stage 3 actions. The minimum temperature settled at 14.1 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season's average, the India Meteorological Department

Air quality panel revokes Stage III of GRAP as Delhi pollution eases

On Monday Punjab reported only four incidents of residue burning as against 2,175 reported on Sunday

No extension on curbs on plying of BS-III, BS-IV vehicles: Delhi govt

The Delhi government has decided not to extend the curbs on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in the capital in view of the improvement in air quality, according to officials. The restrictions on plying of these vehicles was in place till November 13 as part of the curbs under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The Delhi government's Transport department reviewed the situation on Monday and decided that the curbs will not be extended, sources said. "Considering the recent improvement in the air quality in NCT of Delhi, the restrictions imposed for plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (four wheelers) in the jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi are hereby revoked with immediate effect till further orders. "The department will closely monitor the AQI level in the NCT of Delhi and directions will be reviewed accordingly," read the official order issued by the department on Monday. During a review meeting last week, the transport department had decided

Delhi-NCR pollution: Slight improvement in air quality due to strong winds

Air pollution in Delhi ameliorated marginally on the back of strong winds on Saturday but farm fires raging in Punjab prevented a significant improvement in the air quality. Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 303 on Saturday, improving from 346 on Friday. It was 295 on Thursday. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". Officials at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said winds gusting up to 18-20 kmph barrelled through the city during the day, improving air quality and visibility levels. The Centre's air quality panel had on Friday said curbs under stage 3 (severe) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will continue in Delhi-NCR as the air pollution in the region is showing an upward trend. All construction and demolition work, except for essential projects, is banned in Delhi-NCR under the third stage of the GRAP. Brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers are also not allowed to ...

Pollution: Over 5,800 vehicles challaned for violating GRAP Stage 3 rules

On Monday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had said that the ban has been removed from construction work related to highways, pipelines etc

Delhi-NCR air quality deteriorating, GRAP stage III curbs to continue: CAQM

The Centre's air quality panel on Friday said curbs under stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will continue in Delhi-NCR as the air pollution in the region is showing an upward trend. Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index stood at 346 at 4 pm on Friday, deteriorating from 295 on Thursday. "The Air Quality Index (AQI) has been showing an increasing trend for the last two days in Delhi-NCR. Wind conditions have not been very favourable and accordingly dispersion of air pollutants has not been very effective," the CAQM said in a statement. Considering the need to continue with the steps to prevent deterioration of air quality, the sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has decided that the "ongoing action implemented under Stage III of GRAP shall continue and it should not be withdrawn at this stage". All construction and demolition work, except for essential projects, is banned in Delhi-NCR under the third stage of the GRAP. Brick kilns, hot mix plants

In season of pollution, here is what your air purifier needs to do

The device must clean up particulate matter, allergens and ultra-fine dust particles

Rising air pollution can affect unborn babies, say health experts

As the air quality deteriorates in Delhi-NCR, health experts are of the view that air pollution can negatively affect pregnancy, possibly leading to preterm birth, a low birth weight, stillbirth, or congenital abnormalities. The AQI is constantly dipping into a very poor and severe category in the capital region, with doctors advising expecting mothers to stay indoors as much as possible. WHO has also cautioned vulnerable groups like pregnant women, older adults above 60 years, and children under 5 years about the risks and health effects that poor air quality can cause. Recently, a high-resolution satellite image was released, showcasing a massive methane cloud near a waste facility in India. It is no secret that these gases create a lot of cardiovascular, pulmonary, ENT, and skin-related disasters in the human body. Inhaling harmful substances welcomes innumerable conditions which are at times chronic and dangerous with long-term effects, said Dr. Viswesvaran Balasubramanian, ...

Air pollution behind additional 1.5 mn premature deaths annually: Study

Fine pollution particles (PM2.5) may be responsible for 1.5 million additional premature deaths around the globe each year, according to a study which found that low levels of air pollution are dangerous than previously thought. The World Health Organization's most recent estimates are that over 4.2 million people die prematurely each year due to long-term exposure to fine particulate outdoor air pollution referred to as PM2.5. The latest study, published in the journal Science Advances, suggests that the annual global death toll from outdoor PM2.5 may be significantly higher than previously thought. That is because the researchers found that mortality risk was increased even at very low levels of outdoor PM2.5, which had not previously been recognised as being potentially deadly. These microscopic toxins cause a range of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancers. "We found that outdoor PM2.5 may be responsible for as many as 1.5 million additional deaths around the glob