Air pollution in Delhi has been in the limelight since the Diwali festival when the Air Quality Index (AQI) saw a sharp rise, but it is not the most polluted city today, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data at 10 am. Let’s see the complete list of most polluted cities across India on November 18.
Last week, AQI entered the ‘severe’ range in Delhi-NCR, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement air pollution control measures such as banning construction activities and restricting traffic on Delhi-NCR roads. Primary classes in Delhi schools have switched to hybrid mode due to alarming pollution levels. Greater Noida recorded the highest AQI on 18 November. The top 10 most polluted cities are as follows:
The above cities with an AQI value above 400 fall under the “severe” category, while Delhi’s AQI value was 350 in the “very poor” range. Other cities that recorded worst pollution levels and high AQI are Khurja at 341, Muzaffarnagar at 321, Charkhi Dadri at 317 and Manesar at 304.
Among the two air quality monitoring stations in Greater Noida, Knowledge Park 5 recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 457. Moving to Delhi’s 39 air quality monitoring stations, we find that Bawana recorded the worst AQI of 431 falling in the ‘severe range’, followed by Jahangirpuri (422), Wazirpur (417) and Viharvek (406).
The effect of air pollution on health
A report by Policybazaar states that children are the most affected by pollution. A total of 43% of all insurance claims related to pollution were reported in the 0-10 age group. Statistics indicate that children are affected five times more than any other age group.
Highlighting the serious and disproportionate impact of air pollution on children, the report said: “The most worrying finding is the disproportionate impact on children, with 43 per cent of all pollution-related complaints made for children under ten, making them five times more affected than any other age group.
In particular, adults aged 31-40 make up 14 percent of such claims, suggesting that younger and more active outdoorsmen are most vulnerable. Meanwhile, people over the age of 60 account for only 7% of all pollution-related health insurance claims.
Cardiac cases and respiratory problems are on the rise, with pollution-related illnesses now accounting for 8% of all hospital admissions.
