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Air Quality Disaster in India: Origins, Effects, and Immediate Action Needed

As November approach, the persistent air pollution crisis in India, renowned for its deadly grip, is leading to poor air quality across multiple cities, posing a significant threat.

Air Quality Crisis in India: Root Causes, Consequences, and Immediate Actions Needed
Air Quality Crisis in India: Root Causes, Consequences, and Immediate Actions Needed

Air Quality Disaster in India: Origins, Effects, and Immediate Action Needed

In the bustling cities of Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram, the air pollution crisis has reached critical levels, posing serious health risks to millions of residents, students, and workers. The air quality in these cities is primarily monitored through measurements of air quality parameters such as PM2.5, PM10, and ground-level ozone.

Delhi, in particular, has been ranked as the second most polluted city in India based on PM2.5 pollution levels, which exceeded the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) by roughly twice. The city's air quality between January and June 2025 showed 29 days of 'very poor' quality, 31 days of 'poor', 63 days of 'moderate', 52 days of 'satisfactory', and 3 days of 'severe' quality.

Satellite data and aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements have revealed a steady increase in PM2.5 and PM10 levels in and around Delhi from 2000 to 2015. Ground-level ozone has recently emerged as a major pollutant, with Delhi and neighbouring NCR cities experiencing ozone exceedances above safe limits daily in 2025.

In Gurugram, air pollution quantification highlights ambient particulate matter as a major contributor to serious health impacts, with significant mortality linked to particulate pollution and household air pollution. Notably, Noida's Sector 1 has the worst air quality, with an AQI of 453, while Anand Lok and Defence Colony have the worst air quality in Delhi, with an AQI of 570.

The fine particulates (PM2.5 and PM10) penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, and premature death. Ground-level ozone is a highly reactive gas that irritates the respiratory system, exacerbates lung diseases, reduces lung function, and increases susceptibility to respiratory infections.

The persistent poor to severe pollution days in Delhi correlate with increased hospital admissions and health emergencies related to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) links millions of deaths globally to ambient particulate pollution, with particulate pollution contributing substantially to mortality in urban centers like Gurugram.

Experts call for a multi-sectoral and comprehensive mitigation strategy addressing transport, industry, power, agriculture, and ozone precursors to combat this public health crisis effectively. Despite some improvements like a period of ‘satisfactory’ AQI days in Delhi, the air pollution crisis remains a significant concern as winter begins, causing a multi-city-wide threat.

  1. To tackle the air pollution crisis, experts advocated for a comprehensive mitigation strategy encompassing transportation, industry, power, agriculture, and ozone precursors.
  2. The World Health Organization (WHO) attributed millions of deaths worldwide to ambient particulate pollution, emphasizing the significant contribution of this pollution to mortality in urban centers like Gurugram.
  3. In environmental science and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reports, the air pollution crisis in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram is often highlighted as a critical environmental concern, particularly due to its impact on health-and-wellness, specifically respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
  4. Various NGOs organize events to raise awareness about the air pollution crisis, advocating for green solutions and cleaner technologies to mitigate the effects of climate change on medical-conditions like respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
  5. The persistent poor to severe pollution days in Delhi showed a correlation with increased hospital admissions and health emergencies, making environmental science a crucial area of study for understanding and combating the crisis.
  6. As concern for the air pollution crisis grows, numerous reports and studies on environmental science and green reporting have emerged, aiming to provide data-driven insights for addressing the crisis and promoting healthier, more sustainable living.

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