The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a numerical scale used to communicate the quality of air. A higher AQI number indicates poorer air quality, making it an essential tool for public awareness.
Introduced in India in 2014, the AQI classifies air quality into six categories:
On November 3, 2023, Delhi's AQI hit an alarming 471, indicating Severe air quality, which poses significant health risks to the population.
The AQI is part of the Swachh Bharat campaign initiated in 2014, developed by a panel that includes IIT Kanpur, medical professionals, and air quality experts.
The measurement process involves assessing various pollutants like PM10, PM2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, and Carbon. These pollutants are then consolidated into a single index value, nomenclature, and color.
Pollutant Weightage: Each pollutant is weighted based on its impact on human health, with the most harmful pollutant determining the composite air quality value.
Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5: These tiny particles, less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, can cause respiratory problems, reduced visibility, and chronic diseases such as asthma, heart attacks, and bronchitis.
PM 2.5 can bypass the nose and throat, directly entering the circulatory system, leading to serious health issues.
The actions of the government are often influenced by AQI levels. For instance, in response to 'Severe' AQI levels in Delhi, stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was activated.
Measures under the GRAP include:
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