The city with the world's most polluted air has been identified: It is 23 times the upper limit!
New Delhi, the capital of India, has become the city with the worst air quality in the world. It was determined that air pollution in the city has reached 23 times the level considered the upper limit for human health by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), air quality is classified as "poor" when the "PM (particulate matter) 2.5" ratio, which measures the amount of harmful particles in the air, reaches the 300-400 level, and "severe" when it reaches the 400-500 threshold.
23 TIMES ABOVE THE UPPER LIMIT
According to reports in the Indian press, as a result of the use of firecrackers in many parts of the city during the Diwali Festival celebrated yesterday, the PM 2.5 ratio in the capital approached 900 micrograms per cubic meter in some regions.
This means that air pollution in New Delhi has risen to 23 times the value accepted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the upper limit for human health.
According to measurements taken this morning, the country's capital has become the city with the most polluted air quality in the world.
SEVERE AIR POLLUTION
Due to smoke, dust, low wind speeds, vehicle emissions, and stubble burning, a dense blanket of smog forms in New Delhi every winter.
New Delhi and some cities in northern India experience severe air pollution every year between October and January. This situation causes many businesses to be disrupted and leads to the closure of schools and offices.
The burning of stubble by farmers in neighboring states in November and December also contributes to this situation. Farmers state that they need financial and technical support to find alternatives to this practice.
INDIA'S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL PLAN
Within the scope of the "Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)" launched to combat air pollution, activities involving the use of coal, wood, and diesel generators, except for emergencies, have been banned in India.
In addition, New Delhi residents have been urged to use public transport to reduce mobility and vehicle emissions as much as possible. Although the sale of products such as fireworks and firecrackers is banned during festivals every year, their procurement from other cities cannot be prevented.