With AQI of 340 is Guwahati air getting toxic? What is AQI, PM 2.5 and PM 10? How does it impact health? Read here

Guwahati’s air quality was worse than Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida, places known to have the worst quality of air in India

If you thought that you live in Guwahati so you are breathing safe, clean and healthy air? After reading this story, maybe you will think twice. Today Guwahati woke up to a foggy, smoggy day with air quality at 340. As per the Air Quality Index, Guwahati’s air quality this afternoon was at 230 AQI with the PM level at 2.5 which is 12 times higher than the limit recommended by the World Health Organisation’s 24 hours air quality guidelines value.

it is places like Delhi – Gurgaon where the air quality is bad and hazardous then think twice. Guwahati woke up to a foggy smoggy day with air quality at 340. As per the Air Quality Index, Guwahati’s air quality this afternoon stands at 230 with the PM 2.5 level 12 times higher or worse than the limit recommended by the World Health Organisation’s 24 hours air quality guidelines value.
Guwahati’s air quality in ‘severe’ category is worse than the air quality in Delhi (309 AQI), Gurgaon (232 AQI) and Noida (270 AQI), places known to have hazardous air quality and often hitting the headlines for bad air quality.
In Guwahati, localities like Ambikagiri Nagar on RG Barua Road with AQI of 219 is in the ‘unhealthy’ category with a PM2.5 level of 168 and PM10 level of 244.

What does AQI 340 and AQI 230 mean? Should you worry?

If the AQI (air quality index) of a place in between 0-50, it is considered to be good with minimal or no impact on health. But if the AQI is anywhere between 201-300 and 301-400, the quality if air is poor and very poor. Breathing this kind of polluted air may cause discomfort to people, particularly those with heart disease. Prolonged exposure to very poor quality of air can cause respiratory illness and cause discomfort to people with asthma or other respiratory ailments.

What you should do?

• Avoid going outdoors unless very necessary.
• Wear masks or cover your nose every time you step out
• Use air purifiers at home
• Keep doors and windows shut
• Keep indoor plants like the snake plant that help purify the air in your home and office
• Plant trees like neem at your house to keep the air clean
• Avoid children from playing outdoors

AQI categories and their impact on health

• AQI between 0-50 is considered Good.
• AQI between 51-100 is considered moderate or Satisfactory. The air quality is acceptable
• AQI between 101-150 is considered Unhealthy for sensitive people and is said to be moderately safe.
• AQI between 151-200 is considered Unhealthy.
• AQI between 201-300 is considered Unhealthy or Very Poor.
• AQI between 201-300 is considered Severe or very unhealthy. Breathing this kind of air comes with a health alert.
• AQI of 301 and higher is considered Hazardous

What is PM 2.5 and PM 10?

PM is the short form for particulate matter. PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels means the measure of the size of particles (dust, fine ash or anything that is fine). PM 10 is particles of size 10 micrometres or less, and PM 2.5 means particles measuring PM 2.5 micrometres or less. 10 and 2.5 micrometres are diameter measurements of particles which are used to classify them in different categories. Particles narrower than 10 micrometres are hazardous because they can get deep into lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. Larger particles tend to be trapped in the nose, mouth or throat.

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