Mumbai's Air Quality is ‘unhealthy’ with AQI 157

Mumbai’s air quality level in under the ‘unhealthy’ category today, December 17, with AQI 157, according to Swiss organisation IQAir.

As per reports, the PM2.5 concentrations in Mumbai air is currently 13.5 times above the WHO annual air quality guideline value.

Meanwhile, on December 15, according to latest report by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)-India, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai was at 120 (overall) in the 'moderate' category.

Air Quality Index (AQI) is a yardstick to measure the quality of air in a given area. It is measured from 0 to 500. A higher value of AQI denotes a greater level of pollutants in the air and hence a more severe impact on health.

PM2.5 is an air pollutant that is a concern for people's health when levels in air are high. Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.

The AQI index is divided into six categories, each corresponding to a different level of health concern.

- Green (0-50) - Good

- Yellow (51-100) - Moderate

- Orange (1001-150) - Unhealthy for sensitive groups

- Red (151-200) - Unhealthy

- Purple (201-300) - Very unhealthy

- Maroon (301 and higher) – Hazardous

Also Read: Air Quality improves in Mumbai due to unseasonal rains