A respiratory crisis emerged in the country’s capital Delhi ahead of Diwali. The air quality index dropped on Sunday. As the air quality index (AQI) continues to deteriorate, Delhi’s average AQI today was 356, falling under the ‘very poor’ category. Now the question is why Delhi’s air deteriorates before Diwali, then it is important to know which factors lead to Delhi’s air deterioration and what is their contribution.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality index in Anand Vihar district has crossed the 400 mark, with a record of 406 this morning. This falls into the “severe” category. AQI 367 was recorded here earlier on Saturday. Meanwhile, the air quality index in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri was 420. Delhi’s air quality is also expected to remain at very poor levels for the next three days.
The air in NCR has also started to deteriorate.
- Greater Noida – 244
- Ghaziabad – 239
- Noida – 260
- Gurgaon-197
- Faridabad-217
Most pollution comes from vehicle emissions
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the main pollutants in Delhi on Sunday were PM10 and PM2.5. The data showed that the PM2.5 concentration was 110.6 micrograms per cubic meter at 5 p.m.
PM2.5: These are tiny particles that can penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and cause health problems.
PM10: It is particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns. These small particles of solid or liquid suspended in the air can penetrate deep into the lungs and can cause problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses.
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According to the decision support system of the Center for Air Quality Management, vehicle exhaust emissions were the largest source of pollution in Delhi on Sunday, accounting for about 13%. It is estimated that the pollution caused by vehicles in Delhi will be the highest in the next two days. Statistics show that in 2016, 38% of PM2.5 pollution came from road dust, 20% from vehicles, 12% from burning domestic fuels, and 11% from industrial point sources.
How is air quality measured?
A place is considered “good” if its AQI is between 0 and 50, “satisfactory” if its AQI is between 51 and 100, and “satisfactory” if its AQI is between 101 and 200 , it is considered “satisfactory” If the AQI of a place is between 201 and 300, it is considered “moderate”. If the area’s AQI is considered “poor”. If the AQI is between 301 and 400, it is considered to be in the “very bad” category, and if the AQI is between 401 and 500, it is considered to be in the “severe” category. Air pollution can cause many diseases. On this basis, the National Capital Region of Delhi has imposed grape category restrictions. Let me tell you that after the implementation of Grape-2, 5 major restrictions were also implemented.
What are grapes?
Grap means GRAP. The full form of GRAP is a Graded Response Action Plan. This is the government’s plan to combat the growing pollution in the National Capital Region of Delhi. Control pollution through this program. In fact, it has many stages, and these stages also increase with increasing pollution. As the phases increase, so do the restrictions in Delhi.
GRAP has 4 steps
- The first phase is implemented when Delhi’s air quality deteriorates from 201 to 300.
- Thereafter, if the air quality deteriorates and the AQI reaches 301 to 400, the second phase will be implemented.
- If the air becomes very bad, i.e. the AQI exceeds 400, the third stage occurs.
- When things get worse, implement GRAP Level 4.
These restrictions are implemented under Grape-2 in Delhi-NCR
- Operation of diesel generators will be prohibited.
- Parking charges will be increased to reduce private car use.
- Roads will be mechanically/vacuum swept and watered daily.
- Services of CNG electric buses and metro will be increased.
- The RWA will provide heaters to the security guards so that they do not burn garbage, wood or coal for warmth.
- Generators using natural gas, biogas, LPG will be able to operate.
- Generators above 800 kilowatts must be modified before they can operate.
