Arvind Kejriwal, these AQI stats bust your pollution-free Delhi claim

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday evening claimed that level of PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 in city was 39 and that of PM 10 was 96 at 2 pm. Air quality number in range of 0 to 50 is considered as "good" while anything between 51 to 100 is "satisfactory". However, when fact-checked, claim stood busted.

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Data of CPBC records

According to data available on  National Air Quality Index, level of PM 2.5 at Anand Vihar was 333 (Very Poor category) while that of PM 10 was 217 at 2 pm. In  rth-east suburb of Sonia Vihar, PM 2.5 was recorded at 253 while PM 10 was 164. Nehru Nagar h a PM 2.5 level of 170 while PM 10 was recorded at 168. Dwarka-Sector 8 h a PM 2.5 level of 107 while PM 10 was 267. At Lodhi Ro, PM 2.5 was recorded at 124 and level of PM 10 particles was 82. 

National Air Quality Index is maintained by  Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC) of Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Hence, if gone by data put out by principal air quality monitoring ncy, n CM Kejriwal's claim of a cleaner air falls flat. Delhi, neless, h its second consecutive day of cleaner air. After an extended bout of hazardous levels of pollution, air quality in national capital and its joining areas on Wednesday improved to ‘poor' category due to positive influence of high-speed winds.

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What is particulate matter?

PM 2.5 or tiny particulate matter that is less than 2.5 microns in diameter, is considered particularly dangerous as y lodge deep in human lungs. PM 10 is ar pollutant that is inhaled when people brea through ir mouths. When AQI crosses 401-500 mark, n it is categorised as 'severe' and affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.

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