Q. Which 5 cities face the most severe problem of suspended particulate pollution in India, according to estimates of the CPCB?- Published on 11 Sep 15a. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune
b. Mumbai, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Delhi, Hyderabad
c. Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Varanasi
d. Ahmedabad, Pune, Varanasi, Kanpur, Hyderabad
ANSWER: Ahmedabad, Pune, Varanasi, Kanpur, Hyderabad
Of close to 13 cities in the nation whose AQI/ Air Quality Index was measured on a daily basis by CPCB, the 5 top cities were Ahmedabad, Pune, Kanpur, Varanasi and Hyderabad. These cities are facing severe problem of suspended particulate pollution or prevalence of particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in city air. Breathing this air can lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma. The recorded AQI on 8 pm, 9th September 2015 indicated particulate levels of Hyderabad and Kanpur were as high as Ahmedabad which topped the list. High density of factories and burning Piraana dump are reasons why Ahmedabad has higher than PM2.5 levels. AQI index is released every day by the CPCB at 5 pm. QI is from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the more prevalent the health concern. AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level EPA has established to protect public health. AQI values below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is considered to be unhealthy for sensitive persons at first and everyone when certain levels are attained.
