An international report quantifying pollution levels has revealed New Delhi, the capital of India, to be the most air-polluted city in the world, confirming the findings of some experts. These experts were astonished by the extent to which New Delhi has neglected this issue.
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers. Because it can penetrate deep into the lungs, it is considered the greatest health risk. This Thursday, in New Delhi, air pollution monitors recorded PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 350 micrograms per cubic meter. This was one of the highest levels recorded in Asia that day, more than double the morning peak in Beijing's pollution data released by the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
A WHO report examined pollution levels in nearly 1,600 cities across 91 countries from 2008 to 2013, finding that Delhi had an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 153 micrograms per cubic meter. Patna, Gwalior, and Raipur followed closely behind Delhi, ranking among the most polluted cities. Delhi's pollution level was almost three times that of Beijing, whose annual average was 59.
A New York Times article in January 2014 claimed that Delhi's PM2.5 concentration was at least twice that of Beijing, and the pollution issue made headlines in India's largest newspaper for several weeks afterward, though government officials strongly denied it. Following the release of the WHO report, India's official agency, the System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research, stated that the annual average values for India provided in the WHO report were incorrect.
Because Indian officials are unwilling to acknowledge the decline in air quality, the general public is unaware of, or even unable to avoid, the potential health risks posed by PM2.5. Therefore, the WHO strongly urges the Indian government to recognize the threat of air pollution to public health and to introduce proposals to reduce air pollution levels.
Sources: The New York Times (2014-05-09) (Compiled by PIDC)
