Mumbai’s air quality on Monday sets a new record at 13; Best AQI since June 2015

Monday not only began with heavy rains but also as per System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) marked the best recorded overall Air Quality Index (AQI) since air quality monitoring began in June 2015. Mumbai recorded AQI of 13, breaking the previous record of 18 that was recorded on June 18. Officials at SAFAR attributed this to the heavy rains in Mumbai.

In the past 25 days, June has witnessed five best AQI records starting with June 4 (AQI: 34), June 8 (AQI: 32), June 19 (AQI: 18), June 20 (AQI 22) and June 25 (AQI: 13).

An AQI level between 0-50 is categorised a Good while 51-100 is Satisfactory and 101-200, 201-300 and 301-400 is in the Moderate, Poor and Very Poor category respectively.

Meanwhile as per portal of SAFAR that monitors Air Quality Index (AQI) at 10 stations in Mumbai the PM10 was 12 µg/m3 (Safe limit for 24 hours is 60µg/m3) while the PM2.5 was 8 µg/m3 (Safe limit for 24 hours is 40µg/m3)

All the station including Navi Mumbai showed low PM 2.5 levels- which is the smallest size pollutant known to cause respiratory illnesses and worsens the condition of those suffering from ailments like asthma and bronchitis, also their AQI was in Good Category. The PM 2.5 air quality at Borivali (23), Malad (11), BKC (17), Mazgaon (14), Colaba (13), Chembur (7), Andheri (15), Bhandup (12), Worli (22) and Navi Mumbai was 5.

Explaining the reasons a senior researcher said that Mumbai always has very high concentration of PM 2.5 as well as PM 10, which is the suspended particles in the air but currently continuous rains and strong winds have ensured that the concentration has reduced drastically.