GUWAHATI: The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Guwahati has been deteriorating for the past few days. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the AQI of Guwahati on February 1, is 291 based on (particulate matter) PM2.5.
On Tuesday, Guwahati’s deteriorating air quality was labelled 'poor' by the CPCB. The weather apps on people's mobiles have labelled the city's AQI as 'unhealthy', advising people to stay indoors. However, there were some improvements in the air quality of the city on Wednesday, February 2, following the showers on Tuesday night.
It needs to be mentioned that Guwahati has topped the list of the most polluted cities in the region in a study conducted by the Delhi-based not-for-profit public interest research and advocacy organisation, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
Guwahati’s annual average of PM2.5 level had constantly been much higher for the past three years compared to the national average. While the annual average level of India has been 40 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/m3) for the past 3 years, the annual standard of PM2.5 level of Guwahati was 56 ug/m3 in 2019, 62 ug/m3 in 2020, and 60 ug/m3 in 2021.
Notably, the weekly PM2.5 levels increase in the winter months.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and causes the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated. PM2.5 is an air pollutant that is of concern for people's health when the levels in the air are high.
A senior scientist of the Pollution Control Board of Assam told G Plus, "Earlier we measured only PM10, which is coarse particles. When such particles are inhaled, it remains in the lungs. But the finer PM2.5 particles get distributed in the bloodstream, which is even more unhealthy."