Why is it in the news?
A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air analysed winter air pollution levels across Indian cities.
The findings highlight widespread non-compliance with national air quality standards.
Category: Environment
Important Points:
● The analysis examined air quality data from 238 Indian cities.
● 204 out of 238 cities recorded PM2.5 levels above the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (40 µg/m³).
● No city met the WHO recommended safe PM2.5 level of 5 µg/m³.
● Ghaziabad recorded the highest pollution with PM2.5 concentration of 172 µg/m³.
● Other highly polluted cities included Noida (166 µg/m³) and Delhi (163 µg/m³).
● Major cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai also recorded PM2.5 levels above national standards.
● Chamarajanagar in Karnataka was identified as the cleanest city with PM2.5 level of 19 µg/m³.
● Bengaluru was the only megacity with PM2.5 slightly below the national standard at 39 µg/m³.
● Eight of the ten cleanest cities were located in Karnataka.