Missing PM2.5 Data Could Have Raised Delhi's Diwali Pollution by 49%
· India · Times of India, Indian Express, BBC News
Delhi's average Diwali PM2.5 level could have risen 49% to 400 g/m³ if missing data from 255 of 1,416 station-hours were counted at 1,000 g/m³, according to CREA analysis. The CPCB had stopped reporting data for several hours when PM2.5 levels exceeded its 1,000 g/m³ measurement limit on Diwali night. DPCC stations recorded PM2.5 concentrations above 2,000 g/m³ at 11 locations and over 3,000 g/m³ at four locations during the 24-hour period. Replacing missing readings with 1,000 g/m³ would have pushed the AQI from 344 (very poor) to near severe levels, as the standard is 60 g/m³ and WHO guideline is 15 g/m³.
Why it matters
Delhi residents faced hazardous air quality levels that could have been even worse without transparent data, directly impacting public health and visibility during the festival.
Read the original report — Times of India
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