Pollution levels at record high post Diwali; touch maximum limit of 500 in Delhi!

New Delhi: Diwali came and went, but left behind poisonous air in its wake. Many would think it's the same story every year, but this time, pollution levels in the country were 42 times higher than normal, especially in Delhi.

According to real time ambient air quality data of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, PM10 readings went up by over 42 times on Sunday from the national ambiance air quality standard at RK Puram. At 10:55 pm, PM10 was recorded at 4,273 µg/m³. PM2.5 also touched an alarming high at 748µg/m³ at 2:30 am here, the Hindustan Times reported.

The spike in pollution levels and the dangerous plunge in air quality has become a matter of concern for many, since the permissible level of PM 2.5 is 60µg/m³ while PM10 is 100 µg/m³. Anything beyond that may cause severe health issues.

According to reports, air quality in Delhi's Lodhi Road was recorded at 500 in the morning, 463 around Sector 16 in Faridabad and 658 around Talkatora in Lucknow.

Air quality index in and around other areas of Delhi also recorded high pollution levels. Anand Vihar – arguably the most polluted spot in the city – PM10 was at its peak at 3:30 am at over 1,680µg/m³ while PM2.5 touched 883µg/m³ at 2.30am. In Punjabi Bagh, PM2.5 was at its peak at 2:00 am and was recorded at 678µg/m³, while PM10 was recorded as 1,560µg/m³, highest at 10:30 pm, as per the Hindustan Times.