Air Quality worsens in parts of India; Delhi AQI at 427

Air quality across large parts of India continued to remain in the very poor to severe category on Monday with the National Capital Region NCR emerging as the worstaffected area according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCBA sharp drop in visibility and hazeobscured skyline marked another low for Delhi on Monday as its AQI touched 498 in the morning and settled at 427 by the evening with air quality in the hazardous severe zoneAccording to the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB 27 monitoring stations across the city recorded severe air quality while 12 stations reported very poor levels Wazirpur recorded the worst air quality among the 40 stations with an AQI of 475 reported the PTIThe data highlights sharp regional differences in pollution levelsHow is the body affected by air pollution n11AirPollution AirQuality AQI PTIInfographics pictwittercomSGU9SXKqdcmdash Press Trust of India PTI_News December 15 2025North India emerges as major pollution hotspotThe nationwide AQI map showed multiple toxic hotspots across north India while parts of central eastern and southern India reported mixed air quality ranging from moderate to poor The data highlights sharp regional differences in pollution levelsAt 4 pm on December 15 Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 447 followed closely by Ghaziabad 444 Noida 437 and Delhi 427 These levels fall in the severe category indicating hazardous conditions for breathingHealth experts warn that prolonged exposure to severe air pollution can worsen respiratory illnesses heart conditions and asthma especially among children and the elderlyPTI INFOGRAPHICS Indiarsquos air quality remained in the very poor to severe zone across large parts of the country with the NCR emerging as the worstaffected region Greater Noida 447 Ghaziabad 444 Noida 437 and Delhi 427 topped the list of cities with the highest AQIhellip pictwittercomG9B6Zql5rCmdash Press Trust of India PTI_News December 15 2025What is AQI and why does it matterThe Air Quality Index AQI is a scale used to measure how polluted the air is and how it may affect human health A higher AQI number means worse air quality and greater health risksAQI is calculated using concentrations of key pollutants such as PM25 PM10 nitrogen dioxide sulphur dioxide carbon monoxide and ozone Each pollutant is measured and converted into a score with the highest value determining the overall AQI for a locationWhat is the AQI Scale n10AirPollution AirQuality AQI PTIInfographics pictwittercomrgI5qQ1dSkmdash Press Trust of India PTI_News December 15 2025Around 82 per cent Delhiites report severe pollutionlinked illnesses in close circles StudyAs Delhi vanishes behind a densegrey curtain and toxic air continues to choke the National Capital Region a new survey has found that 82 per cent of DelhiNCR residents have one or more people in their close social network suffering from severe health conditions that they attribute to a longterm exposure to air pollutionThe survey conducted by community platform LocalCircles said 28 per cent of the respondents reported having four or more such individuals among family members friends neighbours or colleagues according to the PTIWhat are the different pollutantsThe Air Quality Index AQI measures the level of pollution in the air based on the concentration of major harmful pollutantsThe key pollutants monitored are PM25 Fine particulate matter smaller than 25 micrometres These particles can enter the lungs and bloodstream causing serious respiratory and heart problems PM10 Particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometres which can irritate the eyes nose and throat and worsen breathing issuesLeading causes of air pollutionAir pollution is mainly caused by a mix of human activities and natural factorsThe key sources include Vehicle emissionsindustrial activitiesconstruction and road dustburning of fossil fuelsstubble burning waste burningSteps taken to overcome air pollutionNational Clean Air Programme NCAP Launched in 2019 to reduce air pollution in 131 citiesGraded Response Action Plan GRAP Framework designed to combat air pollution in the DelhiNCR regionControl of Vehicular Emissions Shift to BSVI fuel standards promotion of EVs and SATAT initiative for CBG productionStubble Burning Prevention Subsidies for Crop Residue Management Machinery and promotion of alternative uses for paddy strawSteps taken to overcome air pollution n13AirPollution AirQuality AQI PTIInfographics pictwittercomolD5krgdQ3mdash Press Trust of India PTI_News December 15 2025Health AdvisoryAuthorities have advised people in severely polluted areas to limit outdoor activities wear masks when necessary and seek medical advice if they experience breathing discomfort or irritation