Wed Nov 13 04:24:56 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Faces Grim Reality: No “Good” Air Days in 2024, Experts Fear Trend Will Continue

New Delhi, India – For the first time since 2018, Delhi is on track to end a year without a single “good” air quality day, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Despite a relatively wet monsoon season, the city’s air quality index (AQI) has remained above 50 throughout 2024, indicating concerning levels of air pollution.

While the city experienced a streak of “satisfactory” days in mid-August, the cleanest day so far was recorded on September 13, with an AQI of 52. However, experts warn that the chances of achieving a “good” AQI day are slim, given the looming threat of winter pollution and the annual spike in toxic gases following Diwali.

The lack of “good” air days suggests a persistent presence of harmful gases like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O3), which are not effectively washed away by rainfall. These pollutants, primarily released by vehicles and industries, can reach high concentrations even when particulate matter levels (PM2.5 and PM10) are relatively low.

“Rain only washes away particulate matter,” explained Mukesh Khare, an air pollution expert at IIT-Delhi. “The fact that the AQI couldn’t drop below 50 indicates that the concentration of gases like NOx or O3 were possibly high.”

While monsoon season typically brings respite from pollution, this year’s rainfall did not result in a single “good” air day. This suggests a potential shift in pollutant levels, requiring further analysis to understand the underlying factors.

“We normally see at least one good day, usually during monsoon, when you have good rain and strong winds,” said Sunil Dahiya, founder of the think tank Envirocatalysts. “If this year, despite rain, we did not see a good air day, pollutants other than PM2.5 and PM10 may have spiked.”

The implications of this persistent pollution are alarming, as prolonged exposure to toxic air can have severe consequences for public health, particularly impacting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

As Delhi enters the winter months, experts urge immediate action to address the city’s air pollution crisis and ensure the health and well-being of its residents.

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