The Capital remained wrapped in a thick blanket of dust and haze for the fourth consecutive day on Friday as air quality in several areas across the city fell to ‘hazardous’ levels.
Doctors have advised people to remain indoors, and wear anti-pollution masks if they have to venture out.
The average PM10 level (particles with diameter less than 10 micrometres) in the city on Friday was 754 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) in Delhi-NCR and 801 ug/m3 in Delhi. The safe limit for PM10 is 100 ug/m3.
The average PM2.5 level (particles with diameter less than 2.5 micrometres) was 175 ug/m3 in Delhi-NCR and 184 ug/m3 in Delhi, said the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On Thursday, PM2.5 level was recorded at 277 ug/m3 in the city.
High levels of PM 2.5 are known to cause severe respiratory problems. The safe limit for PM2.5 is 60 ug/m3.
The CPCB said that the air quality index (AQI), a measurement of the concentration of toxic particulate matter in air, remained over 500 at several places in Delhi.
An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 severe/hazardous.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said that the current pollution, comprising mainly PM10, is very different from winter pollution, which comprises primarily of PM2.5.
Dust pollution
The institute said that atmospheric dust pollution had spiked in the city due to strong anti-cyclonic winds from north-west India that are carrying a lot of dust from Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.
“Dust storms have become a regular occurrence in Delhi causing pollution levels to rise. The concentration of PM10 has reached ‘severely high’ stage, whereas concentration of PM 2.5 is still at the ‘very poor’ stage,” said Avi Kumar, consultant, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital.
Air pollution poses a major health risk and can cause stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases, warned doctors. The World Health Organization said an estimated 92% of the world’s population lives in areas where air quality is below WHO standards.
The WHO has stated that 88% of premature deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, where air pollution is escalating at an alarming rate.
“The government and civil society need to join hands to fight air pollution in a systematic manner,” said Anil Bansal, a member of the Delhi Medical Association.
The Met Department has forecast thunderstorms in the coming days, which may bring some relief from the dusty air.
With PTI inputs