India: New Delhi's air quality getting worse

By APD Writer Rishika Chauhan

NEW DELHI, October 5 (APD) --According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), an organization working under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Delhi’s air quality is deteriorating and will only get worse in the coming months.

Experts explain two reasons for the increasing air pollution. Firstly, crop burning in the surrounding provinces Punjab and Haryana has caused air pollution in Delhi, particularly at this time of the year. Secondly, the meteorological conditions are adding to the bad air quality.

According to a Hindustan Times report, till Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI), maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), was 190 which falls in the moderate category. However on Wednesday, it increased to 219, which is considered poor.

D Saha, the head of air quality laboratory of CPCB, explained, “PM10 and PM2.5 have been found to be the primary pollutants, which are responsible behind this rise in air pollution in Delhi.”

Speaking about the identified pollutants, Dr A Mohan, a doctor at the department of pulmonary medicine at an eminent Indian hospital, added, “These are some of the major air pollutants and can affect our respiratory system. Even though the elderly, the children and those suffering from chronic respiratory and cardiac problems are particularly at risk, a healthy person could also be affected. Anybody can suffer from upper respiratory tract infections, breathing problems and burning of eyes when these particles are more in the air.”

Pollution levels in Delhi are said to depend on ground activities as well as the wind pattern during the time, which are both not conducive at this point.

Meanwhile, to control the situation various ministries are working together. The Union ministry of environment and forest convened a meeting on Thursday to access the situation.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)