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Air quality in west UP dips to 'very poor' even as action on stubble burning, polluting industries continue

MEERUT: The air quality index (AQI) in several parts of western Uttar Pradesh dipped to ‘very poor’ and even ‘severe’ categories on Thursday, with the numbers hovering over 300 in Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Moradabad and over 400 in Greater Noida , Ghaziabad and Noida.


The worst AQI recorded in the region were Ghaziabad and Noida at 416 and 402 respectively.

They were followed by Greater Noida (400), Baghpat (370), Meerut (348), Moradabad (327) and Bulandshahr (319).

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Meerut chief medical officer Dr Raj Kumar said, “Whenever air quality dips, people should wear N95 masks — especially children and elderly. It can also have an impact on those already suffering respiratory diseases.”

Meanwhile, the issue echoed in the Parliament too with political leaders cutting across party lines stating that stubble burning alone cannot be blamed for rising levels of air pollution. They urged the government to provide incentives to farmers so that they can dispose stubble in a more scientific manner. During a discussion on the issue, they said that pollution is on the rise also because of contribution from industries, construction activities and vehicular emissions.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. The AQI takes into account five chief pollutants — particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 micrometres (PM10), PM2.5, ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and health concerns.

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