Delhi-NCR Air Pollution Update: AQI crosses 310, capital breathes slightly easier, but still remains in the ‘very poor’ category

Delhi’s air quality remained lodged in the ‘very poor’ category on Monday. According to the data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 299 at 7 am and rising further past the 320-mark in some parts of Delhi-NCR by the afternoon.

Marginal improvement from ‘severe’ levels

Officials noted that although the AQI continues to stay in the ‘very poor’ range, the overall condition shows slight improvement compared to the previous days when many areas were recording ‘severe’ pollution levels.

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Several monitoring stations that had crossed 400 last week are now showing marginal dips.

How AQI categories are classified

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500 and is divided into six categories, each indicating the level of pollution and associated health risks.

0–50 (Good): Minimal or no health impact.

51–100 (Satisfactory): Acceptable air quality; slight discomfort possible for sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues.

101–200 (Moderate): It can cause people with asthma, lung disease or heart disease to have difficulty breathing.

‘Poor’ to ‘Very Poor’: Rising seasonal concern

If the air quality index (AQI) is in the range of 201 to 300, it is ranked 'poor', a state that can cause difficulty in breathing even for the healthy people, if the exposure is prolonged.

This range has become more and more common in the winter months in the capital due to a combination of conditions such as low wind speed, stubble burning, and vehicle emissions.

Areas with an AQI between 301 and 400 are classified as 'very poor', and the risk of respiratory disease goes up for even the healthy population, particularly if the exposure is prolonged.

‘Severe’ category carries serious health risks

The category classified as the most hazardous—'severe'401 to 500 AQI readings are covered in this category. The air at this point becomes dangerous for all, people with breathing or heart diseases affected the most and general public's outdoor activity tolerance is cut down to the minimum.