A new study has shattered the long-held belief that Mumbai’s coastal location shields it from air pollution during the summer. A four-year analysis of data by Respirer Living Sciences has shown that PM10 (particulate matter) levels in the city have consistently breached the national safety threshold of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
 
The study, carried out using the AtlasAQ platform, paints a stark picture, between 2021 and 2024, Mumbai’s annual PM10 averages stood at 109.3 μg/m³ (micrograms per cubic metre) in 2021, 119.7 μg/m³ in 2022, 118.6 μg/m³ in 2023, and 90 μg/m³ in 2024. While 2024 saw a modest improvement, the figures remain well above the safe limit.

“This data tells a very clear story: there is no clean season left in Mumbai,” said Ronak Sutaria, founder and CEO of Respirer Living Sciences. “Even in the summer months, PM10 levels are not just above the limit, they are several times higher. This is a citywide, year-round issue that must be addressed through urban planning, infrastructure reform and regulatory enforcement.”