City records poor air, overall AQI at 238

Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorated on Wednesday as the System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) reported the overall AQI as 238.

As per SAFAR, the AQI between 200 to 300 is rated in the ‘poor’ category and can result in respiratory-related allergies.

According to officials from SAFAR, Mumbai’s AQI in the past week was in the poor category. However, on January 1 there was a slight improvement as the overall AQI dropped to 216 while on January 2 it further dropped to 185.

On Wednesday several parts of central and southern Mumbai were covered in haze. According to air quality experts from SAFAR, on Monday the AQI was PM2.5, which is the smallest-size pollutant known to cause respiratory illnesses and worsens the condition of those suffering from ailments like asthma and bronchitis. 

Experts claim that it was the low temperature and reduced wind speed that were the main reason behind the air quality going from ‘Moderate’ category to ‘Poor’ category in a day.

AQI ACROSS CITY

• Borivili, BKC, Andheri and Mazgaon reported ‘Very Poor’ air quality. Colaba (327µg/m3) topped the list followed by Bandra Kurla Complex (315µg/m3) , Mazgaon (310µg/m3) and Andheri (303µg/m3). The safe limit as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for PM2.5 is 60 µg/m3 for 24 hours.