It has been revealed that the level of PM10 dust particles in the air in Mumbai between February and April 2025 exceeded the national air quality standards. This has come to light through an analysis of data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, the monthly average level of PM10 particulate matter in Mumbai was above the prescribed limit in February and March, while it improved in April.
PM10 levels exceeded the limit on all 28 days in February, while PM10 levels were higher on 17 out of 31 days in March and four out of 30 days in April. Out of a total of 89 days, the PM10 levels in Mumbai's air were recorded above average. This means that PM10 levels were higher in Mumbai on 55 percent of the days during the entire period.
Air quality in Mumbai is recorded by 30 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations. The monthly average levels of PM10 were recorded at 130 micrograms per cubic meter, 108 micrograms per cubic meter and 78 micrograms per cubic meter in the months of February, March and April respectively. Meanwhile, the PM 2.5 level was at an average during this period.
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The CPCB has set a limit of 100 micrograms per cubic meter for PM 10 (particles with a diameter of 10 microns) for a 24-hour average. The limit for PM 2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or smaller) is 60 micrograms per cubic meter.
Meanwhile, the size of dust particles is determined by the size of PM 2.5 and PM 10. Ultrafine dust particles, PM 2.5, are small particles dissolved in the air, and the diameter of these particles is 2.5 micrometers or less.
PM10 is a particle that is slightly larger than a fine particle but has a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. Air quality is measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI). The air quality index is determined by the amount of pollutants in the air over a certain period of time.
Every polluted area in Mumbai has its own unique characteristics. With the proposed Airwise system, it is essential to analyze the source in real time, i.e. identify exactly what is causing the pollution, whether it is traffic, industry, construction or waste incineration.
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Similarly, capacity-building initiatives are equally needed to effectively implement concrete measures and follow up on these measures, said Manoj Kumar, an analyst at the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
February
1) Deonar- 225 micrograms per cubic meter
2) Bandra Kurla Complex – 175 micrograms per cubic meter
3) Malad (West) – 175 micrograms per cubic meter
March
1) Deonar – 200 micrograms per cubic meter
2) Bandra Kurla Complex – 150 micrograms per cubic meter
3) Chakala, Andheri (East)- 140 micrograms per cubic meter
April
1) Deonar – 155 micrograms per cubic meter
2) Chakala, Andheri (East)- 119 micrograms per cubic meter
3) Kurla- 112 micrograms per cubic meter
“The deteriorating air quality in Mumbai has become a matter of concern for everyone. PM 2.5 poses a serious health risk. The increasing levels of PM 10 dust particles in many areas cannot be ignored. Because it has a direct impact on health. It is essential to identify polluted places like Deonar where PM10 levels are high. It is equally important to find out the reasons behind this increase in pollution”, said Bhagwan Kesbhat, Founder, Environment Foundation.