Mumbai records best air quality for this year

Mumbai: Mumbai recorded the best air quality for this year on Thursday, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 31 during evening. The AQI, an indicator of particulate matter in air, between 0-50 comes under ‘good’ category. Weathermen have attributed it to the good wind speed and moisture in the air.

Eight air-monitoring stations by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) recorded ‘good’ air quality on Thursday with PM10 up to 41. The exception BKC, also recorded PM10 levels at 53 (satisfactory). PM10 levels are the particulate matter arising from dust pollution.

“Due to good wind movement and moisture on the air surface, the pollutants trapped in the moist air are getting dispersed. As such it has reduced the PM levels in the air. The air quality is likely to remain good in the next two days,” said an IMD official. The maximum temperature on Thursday was recorded at 33.2 degrees Celsius.

The overall PM 10 level for the city was recorded at 30, while the PM2.5, arising from vehicular and industrial emission was recorded at 13 on Thursday. Colaba recorded the cleanest air in Mumbai with AQI of 9. The adjoining Navi Mumbai too recorded the AQI at 30 which is under ‘good’ category.

What is air quality index?

An Air Quality Index (AQI) is used by government agencies to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become. Public health risks increase as the AQI rises. Different countries have their own air quality indices, corresponding to different national air quality standards.