Delhi most polluted among 280 cities, UP most polluted state – Greenpeace Report

As per Airpocalypse II, a report by environmental Non-governmental organization (NGO) Greenpeace India, 47% of the population in India is living in areas where there is no air quality monitoring.

About Airpocalypse II:

This report analysed PM10 (inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller) annual averages for 280 cities monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under its national air quality monitoring programme.

• The researchers also made applications under Right to Information Act to access state pollution control board annual reports.
• Most of the data used in this report is for year 2016 while in some cases, 2015 data has been referred.

Highlights of Airpocalypse II:

Out of 630 million people living in 280 cities where air quality is monitored by CPCB, nearly 550 million live in areas exceeding national safe standards for PM10.

• CPCB has set 60 micrograms per cubic metres PM10 as safe standard.
• Around 180 million people live in areas where air pollution levels are more than twice the safe standard.
• Delhi with average of 290 PM10 concentrations was the most polluted and Hassan in Karnataka with average 26 PM10 is one of the cities which have the cleanest air.
• Uttar Pradesh is India’s most polluted state as 15 of its cities are among 30 cities with highest levels of toxic air.
• Limiting the number of polluting vehicles on the road, moving from diesel generators to rooftop solar, introducing less polluting fuel (Bharat VI), increased use of clean renewable energy, electric vehicles are some of the measures recommended by Greenpeace for reducing air pollution across India.

Most Polluted Cities – Top 5

Least Polluted Cities – Top 5

About Greenpeace India:

• Founded in – 2001
• Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka