How Clean is the Air we breathe?
In recent years, air pollution has acquired critical dimensions and the air quality in most Indian cities that monitor outdoor air pollution fail to meet WHO guidelines for safe levels. The concentration of particulate matter (PM) as well as dangerous carcinogenic substances such as Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) have reached alarming proportions in most Indian cities, putting people at additional risk of respiratory diseases and other health problems.
13 Indian cities feature in the 20 cities with the highest level of PM 2.5 according to WHO; Delhi found to be the worst.
1.6 million deaths due to indoor and outdoor air pollution in 2010, according to Global Burden of Diseases Report
Air Quality Index launched by the Government to provide information on quality of air in cities