Air worsens, PM2.5 breaches severe level

THE CONCENTRATION OF PM10 WAS ALSO VERY CLOSE TO THE ‘SEVERE’ LEVEL. IT TOUCHED 422 UG/M3 AROUND 10PM

NEW DELHI: The air quality of Delhi was on the verge of breaching the ‘severe’ level on Saturday as levels of pollutions shot up due to low wind speed and high moisture levels.

Saturday’s average Air Quality Index was 395.

An AQI value between 300 and 400 is considered ‘very poor’ while an AQI value above 400 is considered as ‘severe’ on a scale of 0 to 500.

The level of PM2.5, however, crossed the ‘severe’ mark late in the evening.

The PM2.5 concentration was 256 microgram per cubic metre (ug/m3) around 10pm. If PM2.5 crosses 250 ug/m3 it is considered as ‘severe’.

A value above 300 ug/m3 is considered as ‘emergency’.

The concentration of PM10 was also very close to the ‘severe’ level. It touched 422 ug/m3 around 10pm. If it touches 430 it is said to be in ‘severe’ zone.

A PM10 value above 500 is considered as an ‘emergency’.

The local meteorological department has predicted that the last day of the year could be chilly and foggy with the mercury likely to drop to around 6 degrees Celsius.

Experts from the Central Pollution Control Board said that pollution levels are expected to rise further.