Home / Environment / Delhi's Air Clears: Lowest PM2.5 in a Decade
Delhi's Air Clears: Lowest PM2.5 in a Decade
1 Jun
Summary
- Delhi's PM2.5 levels hit decade low in May, nearly halving from 2017.
- PM10 levels remained stable, indicating persistent coarse particle pollution.
- Favorable weather with rain and winds cleared finer pollutants temporarily.
Delhi recorded its lowest PM2.5 concentration in May this year, marking a decade-long improvement. The average PM2.5 level stood at 54 µg/m³, significantly lower than previous years. This cleaner air is attributed to favorable meteorological conditions, including substantial rainfall and sustained winds during the month.
Despite the drop in finer particles, PM10 levels saw little change, hovering around 175 µg/m³. Experts suggest this indicates the persistence of coarser dust particles, which are less affected by weather phenomena like rain and wind. These particles are more closely linked to sources like dust resuspension and construction.
Last year, May saw higher rainfall and lower temperatures, yet PM10 levels were similar to this year. This May, Delhi experienced 19.5 mm of rain and fewer heatwave days compared to previous years. Ozone levels also remained relatively low.
Environmental analysts emphasize that the improvement in PM2.5 is primarily due to better pollutant dispersion and washout from rain, not necessarily a reduction in emissions at the source. The stable PM10 levels highlight the ongoing challenge of coarse particle pollution.
