10 High Air Pollution Cities in India and Measures to Save Yourself
Those days are long gone when air pollution was the term written in books for educating kids and a word that environmental activists talk about. It has become a crisis that needs an urgent solution. It has reached a severe level where it is all over the news and harming our lungs. As per the current situation, living in Delhi for a day is equal to smoking 25 cigarettes and there are many more cities in India facing high air pollution. Although this fight can’t be won in a day, you can still take effective measures to save yourself and your family from this cloud of toxic air.
What Does AQI Mean?
AQI is called the Air Quality Index which is used to measure the air quality in the environment. The higher the reading is, the more harmful the air quality is.
What Can Be The Reasons For Such High Air Pollution Levels?
Vehicles
Metro cities like Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad face massive traffic jams due to the increasing number of vehicles on the road. These vehicles contribute a lot to the air pollution levels in these cities.
Industrial Growth
With industrial growth, there comes industrial pollution that is released into the air and significantly harms our environment. With the ignorance of a few people, some industrial units freely release their pollution into the environment.
Construction
There are several ongoing construction projects in metro cities because dust particles and debris surround the environment and contribute to air pollution. Moreover, it even bothers the most in dry seasons where the dust particles become airborne.
Crop Burning
Surrounding agriculture fields are burned by the farmers as a regular practice for effective farming. But it contributes to more pollution temporarily and increases the AQI levels in the cities.
20 Cities With High AQI Levels
10 Most Polluted Cities in India With AQI Levels
New Delhi
New Delhi has an AQI level of 417 because of which the people are forced to breathe severely toxic air. The city has taken a lot of precautionary measures but still, the people are at risk if it goes any longer. Mostly this can affect people with breathing issues, lung conditions, or elders severely.
Meerut
Meerut has an AQI level of around 377 and local authorities are making all the efforts they can to handle the situation. Such high levels of air pollution are caused by the number of vehicles and industries set up in the city.
Hapur
Hapur is facing an AQI level of 361 because of both industrial and vehicular pollution.
Faridabad
Faridabad has AQI levels of around 352 to which the heavy traffic and industrial pollution have contributed a lot.
Noida
AQI level is 338 in Noida as it shares the same pollution sources as New Delhi and sees a lot of heavy traffic and industrial pollution.
Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad is also facing industrial pollution along with heavy traffic that has increased the AQI levels to 318.
Bhiwani
Bhiwani also faces high levels of pollution which requires the attention of authorities to get in check. The city is being affected by the industrial pollution that is contributed by the rapid industrial growth, increasing AQI to 309.
Muzaffarnagar
Muzaffarnagar majorly faces the challenge of high pollution levels because of the large number of constructions and agricultural practices around it which increased the AQI levels to 304.
Rohtak
Rohtak has an AQI of 301 because of local industries and increasing traffic.
Bhiwadi
The AQI level of Bhiwadi is around 298 as it has a lot of ongoing industrial activity and construction projects.
What Measures You Can Take To Be Safe From High Air Pollution Levels?
High air pollution levels not only harm you physically but also mentally. Knowing the severity of the condition we have to take some measures to safeguard ourselves:
Track Air Quality
To know that the pollution levels in the air are harmful in your locality you will need an AQI monitor which comes in various sizes and prices. The higher the number you get the more dangerous the pollution levels are. But if you don't want to get the meter you can still check the overall AQI levels on the internet by just typing your “City and AQI levels”. Moreover, there are many Android applications on the app store that can automatically give you the readings of AQI levels of your locality. Monitor the readings daily and if you get a number more than 200 then you may want to stay at home that day.
Air Purifiers
Delhi has just recorded its highest AQI level of 488 which is a wake-up call for the city to take strict measures to control the situation. Even the indoors are required to have air purifiers to breathe healthy air. These devices are the most effective in dealing with air pollution providing you the chance to save yourself.
Air Pollution Mask
Don’t think masks only save during pandemics. Masks like N99 and N95 are designed to save people from air pollution also. These are the most affordable and effective for personal protection from air pollution. These masks filter out most of the pollutants in the air which can harm your body. Remember, not to buy low-quality fabric masks as they won’t work against high levels of pollution.
Avoid Traveling
When you have already checked the AQI levels and if they are higher than if, you can, try to stay indoors. Every time you decide to stay at home, you will limit your exposure to the pollution. And still, if you must go outdoors then choose the afternoon as the best time, because the Sun will save you and avoid going out in the early morning or in the evening.
Ventilation
Make sure you have excellent ventilation at home. Open the windows at the time when pollution levels are low by checking the AQI levels. However, on the days when pollution is high please keep your windows shut and turn on the air purifier.
Diet
Diet is very important for types of scenarios and there are foods that will even help you to fight pollution. You should have foods like berries, and leafy green vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. Also, don’t forget about foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts and flaxseeds.
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