NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality remained ‘severe’ for the third consecutive day on Monday, with the authorities advising the public to minimise outdoor activities and to avoid use of private vehicles in the city. This is the fourth time this year that the air quality has slipped to ‘severe’ category. The first time it turned ‘severe’ was just two days before Diwali.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 448, under the ‘severe’ category, as per data by the Central Pollution Control Board. An AQI between 100 to 200 comes under ‘moderate’ category, 201 and 300 is considered ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and any reading between 401 and 500 is ‘severe’.
On Sunday, the year’s second highest pollution was recorded at an AQI of 450. The concentration of harmful pollutants PM2.5 and PM10 in the ambient air were around five times over their prescribed limit of 60 and 100 ug/m3. At 6:30 PM, PM2.5 was recorded at 318 microgramme per cubic metre (ug/m3), and PM10 was 484 ug/m3.
As there is no effect of stubble burning in neighbouring states, local factors such as vehicle fumes, garbage burning, polluting industries, and construction activities are responsible for deteriorating air quality and unfavourable weather conditions like low temperatures are only worsening it.
In a health advisory, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) asked Delhiites not to rely on common dust masks for protection and has asked the public to avoid all outdoor activities, such as taking walks. “If the room has windows, close them, if the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option then choose it, avoid burning anything such as wood, candle or even an incense,” it said.