India’s PM 2.5 concentration was reported at 50.6 µg/m³ in 2024, over ten times the WHO safe limit of 5 µg/m³, though down from 54.4 µg/m³ in 2023. Only seven countries worldwide met the safety standards. Major contributors to pollution include industrial emissions and vehicular exhaust, with calls for improved public transport and stricter controls on emissions.
In 2024, India’s PM 2.5 concentration exceeded the safe limit by more than tenfold. The annual average stood at 50.6 µg/m³, which is an improvement from 54.4 µg/m³ in 2023, according to IQAir’s “World Air Quality Report 2024.” This report highlights that only seven countries worldwide adhere to the WHO-recommended annual PM 2.5 threshold of 5 µg/m³.
PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. The IQAir report primarily measures PM 2.5 levels, but also takes into account other pollutants such as PM10, Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Ozone (O3) to assess air quality in India.
Globally, only 17% of cities, along with seven countries including Australia and New Zealand, adhere to the safe PM 2.5 levels. For context, India’s PM 2.5 concentration is considerably worse than that of Chad (91.8 µg/m³), Bangladesh (78 µg/m³), and Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³). Notably, Byrnihat reported the highest concentration at 128.2 µg/m³, while New Delhi recorded 91.8 µg/m³.
Although New Delhi’s PM 2.5 concentration decreased from 92.7 µg/m³ in 2023, it remained higher than the concentrations recorded in Chad and Dhaka. According to Frank Hammes, the global CEO of IQAir, a notable awareness gap exists regarding air pollution, which presents significant health threats. He emphasized the importance of data in informing policy and promoting public health initiatives.
Faridabad and Gurugram reported average PM 2.5 concentrations of 101.2 µg/m³ and 87.5 µg/m³ respectively. There was a 7% reduction in India’s overall PM 2.5 levels in 2024 compared to the previous year. Major contributors to poor air quality include industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and construction dust.
Vijay Choudhary from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board stated that managing emissions is a continual challenge, exacerbated by geographic and meteorological factors that worsen air quality during winter months. Similarly, Gauri Sareen from “Making Model Gurugram” expressed concerns over the governmental response to air quality issues, which she deemed slow and inadequate for the serious health implications faced by residents, especially vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
Furthermore, Avinash Chanchal from Greenpeace India highlighted that inadequate public transportation infrastructure significantly contributes to air quality deterioration. He stressed the need for commitment to improving public transport as part of effective pollution control measures, citing road transport emissions as a major factor in high PM 2.5 levels.
In summary, India’s PM 2.5 concentration remains critically higher than safe limits, as reported by IQAir in their 2024 assessment. While there was some improvement from the previous year, the report underscores the persistent air quality challenges resulting from industrial, vehicular, and construction emissions. Stakeholders, including government officials and community advocates, continue to call for more effective measures to address these pressing air pollution issues.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
