Delhi's air pollution levels on Monday were recorded at five times the standard. According to a report on Safar, the website of the Ministry of Earth Sciences On Monday, Delhi's air pollution levels were recorded five times higher than the standard. According to a report on Safar, the Ministry of Earth Sciences' website, air pollution levels in Delhi and the NCR have reached the "very poor" category. Air pollution levels in surrounding areas are also exceeding 300 AQI. Satellite images clearly show that farmers in many parts of Pakistan and Punjab and Haryana bordering the country are burning stubble on a large scale. A blanket of smoke can be seen surrounding Delhi and the NCR. Due to extremely slow wind speeds, this smoke is trapped in the air. According to experts, people living in Delhi and the NCR will have to breathe this suffocating air for the next few days.
Highlights
Delhi's air quality in 'very poor' category
No relief from pollution expected
<p>Air quality continues to deteriorate</p>
New Delhi, JNM. On Monday, Delhi's air pollution levels were recorded five times higher than the recommended standards. According to a report on the Ministry of Earth Sciences' website, Safar, air pollution levels in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) have reached the "very poor" category. Air pollution levels in surrounding areas are also exceeding 300 AQI. Satellite images clearly show that farmers in many parts of Pakistan and Punjab and Haryana bordering the country are burning stubble on a large scale. A blanket of smoke can be seen surrounding Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Due to extremely slow wind speeds, this smoke is trapped in the air. According to experts, residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region will have to breathe this suffocating air for the next few days.
The PM10 level in Delhi's Anand Vihar area on Monday evening was 532 micrograms per cubic meter, while the PM2.5 level was recorded at around 326 micrograms. Similarly, in the Rohini area, the PM 10 level was 610 micrograms per cubic meter, while the PM 2.5 level was recorded at around 381 micrograms. In many areas including Mathura Road, ITO, Mandir Marg, the level of air pollution was recorded several times more than the standards. As per the standards, the level of PM 10 in the air should not be more than 100 micrograms per cubic meter. Whereas the level of PM 2.5 in the air should not be more than 60 micrograms per cubic meter.
It's not just the people of Delhi and the NCR who are breathing toxic smoke. It's also affecting surrounding cities. Vivek Chattopadhyay, a longtime air pollution researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment, says that due to stubble burning and pollution, the air quality is extremely poor not only in Delhi but also in the surrounding 250-kilometer area. Forecasts indicate this will continue for several more days. Several cities around Delhi and the NCR have seen their Air Quality Index (AQI) surpass the dangerous 300 mark. This appears to have happened simultaneously, requiring collective and comprehensive action. This blanket of polluted smoke has engulfed six cities in Haryana, seven in Uttar Pradesh, and all of Delhi. The situation is also dire in some other nearby cities.
According to experts, the people of Delhi and NCR will not get any relief from this dangerous air pollution soon. Meteorologist Samarjit Chaudhary says that the wind speed in Delhi and NCR is less than 15 kilometers per hour. As such, pollution is trapped in the air. There is little chance of the wind speed increasing in the next few days. Due to northwest winds, stubble smoke may increase in the air in the next two days. Wind speed is expected to increase slightly after November 12th.
A recent report claims that air pollution could reduce the average lifespan of Delhi residents by 8.2 years. The report, released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, states that Delhi ranks among the world's most polluted cities. PM 2.5 levels in the national capital are 20 times higher than the World Health Organization's safe limit. According to experts, prolonged exposure to such pollution is not only dangerous for the lungs and heart, but also severely impacts the mental and physical development of children. Dr. Narendra Saini, Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Delhi Medical Council, says that increasing air pollution has become a major challenge for people living in Delhi and surrounding areas. As winter approaches, the number of respiratory patients increases rapidly due to air pollution. PM 2.5 present in the air can reach various parts of the body through your breath and cause harm. Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions face the greatest difficulties, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions must be especially cautious.
It is worth noting that air pollution not only affects your lungs or heart but also your DNA. In a study published in the journal Nature, scientists have claimed that the microscopic particles PM2.5 present in air pollution also affect human DNA. Due to its effect, the risk of cancer and neurological diseases increases. PM2.5 are very small particles. According to the report, these particles increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. This weakens the immune system. This is the reason why respiratory, heart and brain related diseases are increasing rapidly among the people living in areas with high air pollution.
