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

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

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Data of the CPBC records

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

National Air Quality Index is maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Hence, if gone by the data put out by the principal air quality monitoring agency, then CM Kejriwal's claim of a cleaner air falls flat. Delhi, nonetheless, had its second consecutive day of cleaner air. After an extended bout of hazardous levels of pollution, air quality in the national capital and its adjoining areas on Wednesday improved to the ‘poor' category due to the 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 they lodge deep in the human lungs. PM 10 is another pollutant that is inhaled when people breathe through their mouths. When the AQI crosses the 401-500 mark, then it is categorised as 'severe' and affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.

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