Delhi air pollution reduced 4%, Mum deteriorated over 5 years

Nagpur: During the peak pollution months in the last five years, Mumbai’s air has turned toxic steadily while that of Delhi and Lucknow improved.Analysis of government’s air quality data by Respirer Living Sciences and Climate Trends revealed that though Delhi’s air quality witnessed a marginal improvement, it continued to be the most polluted city between October 2022 and September 2023, with PM2.5 concentration of 100.1 micrograms per cubic metre (mpcm). This was more than thrice the country’s ‘good’ level and 20 times the safe limit of World Health Organization (WHO).

The study period was from 2019, when India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and was done for six major state capitals known to have air quality challenges — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Patna.PM2.5 refers to air particles that are 2.5 microns in diameter, which is approximately 1/30th the width of a strand of human hair. It consists of fine, toxic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream and cause heart disease, stroke, and other respiratory diseases.The analysis showed that Aizwal in Mizoram had the cleanest air in India, with PM 2.5 level of only 11.1 mpcm. On the other hand, Patna was the second most polluted capital. “Two regions dominated the list of top ten polluted cities in India between October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023 — Delhi-NCR and Bihar,” the analysis stated.While Delhi saw a 4% improvement in air quality last year, Patna witnessed a 24% deterioration.According to experts, there has been improvement in the Indo-Gangetic plain cities in the last few years. “However, considering the enormous pollution load, these cities continue to experience the highest PM levels in the country. With NCAP nearing its first deadline, these studies highlight the data-level impact of policy action. But deeper research is required to be able to attribute this improvement to sources of emissions and meteorological factors,” said Aarti Khosla, director of Climate Trends.Full report on www.toi.in

Mumbai air quality worsens while Delhi's improves

Mumbai's air quality has worsened between 2019 and 2023, while Delhi's and Lucknow's air quality improved. Carcinogenic PM2.5 concentrations were studied in six major cities to assess the impact of the National Clean Air Programme. Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata saw an increase in PM2.5 levels, indicating a deterioration in air quality. Mumbai's air quality index recently entered the 'moderate' category after eight months. The findings highlight the need for Mumbai to reduce carbon emissions and adopt a scientific approach to air quality management.

Delhi air pollution reduced 4%, Mum deteriorated over 5 years

A recent analysis of government air quality data revealed that Mumbai's air has steadily become more toxic over the past five years, while Delhi and Lucknow saw some improvement. Delhi remained the most polluted city during the study period, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the safe limits set by the World Health Organization. Aizwal in Mizoram was found to have the cleanest air in India. The analysis also highlighted the need for further research to identify sources of emissions and meteorological factors affecting air quality.

Delhi most polluted city in India in past year: Analysis

Delhi remains the most polluted city in India, although its air quality has slightly improved, according to a study by Climate Trends and Respirer Living Sciences. The city's PM2.5 concentration is three times the safe limit. Aizawl and Mizoram have the cleanest air in the country. Four other cities in the National Capital Region are among the top 10 most polluted. The report analyzes data from October 2022 to September 2023 and highlights the need for a scientific approach to address air quality issues.