Learn about AQI & PM2.5

What is AQI?

AQI stands for Air Quality Index. It is a measure of air pollution. The higher the AQI, the greater the health risk. AQI is calculated for six pollutants – PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, & Ozone.

What is PM 2.5?

PM 2.5 – or fine particulate matter – is a mixture of extremely small solid and liquid particles present in the air that are not visible to the naked eye. 

They measure less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which is 30 times smaller than the human hair. Because of that, they can penetrate deep into our lungs and bloodstream, causing severe damage to the lung tissue, cardiovascular disease and premature deaths.

Resources

• The Green Book - Pollution Control Law - https://cpcb.nic.in/7thEditionPollutionControlLawSeries2021.pdf
  
  
• India's Air Quality Monitoring System - https://airquality.cpcb.gov.in/ccr/#/login
  
  
• Thane's Pollution Control Cell - https://www.pcctmc.com/pollution_updates 
  
  
• Just for reference, USA's govt website - https://www.airnow.gov/
  
  
• National Clean Air Program (NCAP) - Minutes of the meetings held from 2021-2023 (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1k6QiSRRRdnhkHMDtmsqSolR3wcxIx_0F)

News Articles

• Need for alignment of India AQ standards with WHO AQ standards 
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/experts-call-for-alignment-of-indian-air-quality-standards-with-who-standards/articleshow/111740263.cms

• Residents United - Relocation of RMC plants away from residential areas 
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/thane-relocate-cement-plant-near-homes-or-well-move-ngt/articleshow/111406701.cms
  
  
• Air Pollution accounts for 7% of daily deaths 
•  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/air-pollution-accounts-for-7-of-daily-deaths-study/articleshow/111486556.cms

• Research : Short-term exposure to PM2.5 kills 33000 people, yearly. 
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/short-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-in-india-kills-33000-people-annually-study/articleshowprint/111490139.cms
  
• Air Pollution worsens health
• https://healthpolicy-watch.news/growing-body-of-data-links-indias-polluted-air-to-worsening-health/
  
  
• Traffic & Noise Pollution worsens children's health
• https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240621-how-traffic-noise-pollution-harms-childrens-health-and-development
  
  
• Air Pollution worsens health and finances
• https://www.indiatoday.in/environment/story/delhi-air-pollution-death-health-cost-finance-economic-2562735-2024-07-05