Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : October 30, 2014 3:11 PM IST
The US embassy monitored pollution at Chanakyapuri, a city in Delhi, only to reveal that the air quality in the national capital was at an 'unhealthy level'. This result made the Indian capital to enter into the international news portal that warned children not to spend prolonged hours outdoors.
The embassy calculated the AOI (Air Quality Index) at two different times of the day and reported the readings as 248 at 8 am and 260 at 6 pm. The index measures the quality of air depending on particulate matter (PM2.5) present in the air. As per the US standards, readings in the range of 201 - 300 in the scale of 0 - 500 are termed to be very unhealthy as they may cause significant aggravation of respiratory diseases and heart disease. Due to high levels of fine particulate matter in the air, experts advise children, older adults and people with heart and lung problems to stay away from physical activity outdoors.
The embassy releases AOI figures on an hourly basis. The high levels of particulate matter in Delhi made news when the city was at its lowest levels of air pollution after Diwali. Air monitors conducted by the Met department and earth sciences ministry showed slightly lower levels of air pollution than the US embassy at 220 but were considered to be 'poor'. The US embassy claimed that the air quality in the capital is unhealthy and that a thick blanket of smoke can be seen over the red fort.
According to System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) the air quality had worsened after Diwali and the similar situation might be seen on November 2, when the temperature in the national capital might fall trapping polluted air. Said Gufran Beig, chief project scientist at SAFAR, 'This time, Diwali pollution was lower than last year and PM 2.5 levels were the lowest on Wednesday. On October 24, PM 2.5 concentration was 270 microgram per cubic metre while on Wednesday it was 142.' The US embassy's air quality monitor in Beijing showed a slightly higher AQI level of 265. Delhi is often compared with China's capital for bad air quality.
Image Source: Getty Images
(Image for representational purpose only)
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