An indicator used to measure the quality of the air at a specific location is called the Air Quality Index (AQI). In order for the average person to assess the quality of the air in his immediate area, the Air Quality Index was introduced in 2014 with an outline ‘One Number – One Color -One Description’. It was created by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) with assistance from IIT-Kanpur and other subject matter experts. This article will explain to you about the National Air Quality Index (AQI) which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

How Bad is India's Air Pollution?

• WHO Report: According to the WHO, India's air pollution, which is among the worst in the world, shortens most Indians' lives by more than three years.
• Economic & Political Weekly Report: According to 'Economic & Political Weekly,' more than half of India's population, or 660 million people, reside in places with fine particulate matter pollution that exceeds the country's safe levels.
• Decrease in Life Expectancy: India is home to 13 of the top 20 most polluted cities in the world. The 660 million Indians who live in cities have a 3.2-year reduction in life expectancy due to air pollution.
• Addressing Environmental Concerns And Poor Air Quality: India is placed 155 out of 177 countries in a 2014 worldwide survey of how nations address environmental concerns, and its air quality is among the worst in the world.
• Environmental Performance Index Report: According to the Environmental Performance Index 2014, India is ranked as the "worst performer" on a number of metrics, including environmental health impact, air quality, water quality, and sanitation.
• In Comparision to the BRICS Nations: India's environmental health significantly lags behind that of the BRICS countries.
• World’s Most Polluted Rivers: The Ganga and Yamuna are two of the ten most polluted rivers in the world.
• Concretization in Green Belts: Civic organizations continue to allow concretization in green belts notwithstanding the National Green Tribunal's orders.
• Real Estate: Growing housing demand and booming real estate are changing how land is used, which is causing natural conservation areas including forests, water bodies, wastelands, sanctuaries, and groundwater recharging regions to disappear.
• Shortwave Radiation: Shortwave radiation is emitted from concrete surfaces at night due to mindless concretization of the earth, green space, and booming real estate.

National AQI - Background

• The National Air Quality Index, which tracks India's air quality index, was introduced in New Delhi in September 2014 as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
• Governmental organizations are in charge of informing the public about health risks and how to prevent them.
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has established a committee of specialists consisting of SPCBs, academicians, medical professionals, and experts in air quality.
• IIT Kanpur was given a technical study as well. IIT Kanpur and the expert panel recommended an AQI program for India in 2014.
• A real-time data tracking system for continuous monitoring is in place in six Indian cities: Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune.

National AQI - Pollutants Covered

The following eight significant air pollutants in the atmosphere are monitored by the Air Quality Index (AQI):

• Particulate Matter (PM10)
• Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Ozone (O3)
• Ammonia (NH3)
• Lead (Pb)

National AQI - Scores

• The National Air Quality Index comprises six AQI categories: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
• As seen in the table below, each category is related to specific health consequences:

Particulate Matter or PM: A Substantial Pollutant

• PM 2.5 and PM 10 are the most typical air quality measurements.
• Micrograms per cubic meter is the unit used to measure these particles. Microparticles with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 microns are referred to as PM 2.5, while those with a diameter of fewer than 10 microns are referred to as PM 10.
• Countries all over the world use the same parameters to assess the quality of the atmosphere.
• Lead and ammonia are two more pollutants that India measures. A safe AQI value is one that is 50 or lower.

How Does the PM get into the Air?

• The term "particulate matter" (PM) refers to a combination of solid and liquid droplets found in the air.
• Some particulate matter, such as dust, smoke, and soot, can be seen with naked eyes, but other particulate matter is too small to be seen without an electron microscope.
• PM can come from a variety of places, including fields, fires, construction sites, and unpaved roads.
• The majority of the particles are produced by complicated chemical reactions involving substances like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
• These are the pollutants that come from things like power plants, industry, and cars.
• The following are some examples of natural sources of PM: sea salt, dust (also known as crustal debris), secondary sulphate, pollen, black carbon from wildfires, and volcanic ash.

National AQI - Calculation

• The average air pollutant concentration during a certain period, which is obtained from an air monitor or model, serves as the basis for the computation of the AQI.
• When there is more air pollution released into the atmosphere, such as during a forest fire or periods of heavy traffic, the AQI rises.
• Additionally, anticyclones or temperature inversions cause stagnant air, which increases the number of contaminants in the air.
• The AQI rises as a result of chemical interactions between air pollutants and cloudy circumstances.

National AQI - Instrument Used

The instruments that are used to measure the Air Quality Index are as follows:

• PCE-RCM 05
• PCE-HFX 100
• PCE-RCM 8

What are National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has established national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), which are uniform air quality standards for the entire nation.
• In order to lower particulate matter levels in 132 cities by 20–30% in 2024, the NCAP was implemented throughout India in 2019.
• If a city repeatedly fails to fulfill the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) during a five-year period, it is deemed to be out of compliance.
• It is necessary for standards to exactly represent the most recent scientific understanding.
• In the past, industrial zones were subject to less strict regulations than residential neighborhoods.

National Air Quality Index - Limitations

• Not for Statutory Purposes: Since the data for real-time AQI is fed straight from the analyzers without being checked, it might not be for statutory purposes.
• Technical Complexity: The operation of sensors and analyzers, their calibration, data capture at a local server, transmission to a central database utilizing the Internet, and other processes are all part of the monitoring and dissemination of the AQI.
• Power And Maintenance Issues: Monitoring station operations may also be impacted by a variety of technical and operational factors, such as prolonged power outages and maintenance issues.
• Interruption in Continuous Data Flow: Due to these restrictions, it's likely that continuous data flow and dissemination will be interrupted in some way.

Conclusion

Under the National Air Quality Index, pollutants are also assigned a weight based on how they affect the environment and, in turn, human health. Under AQI, a composite number and a single color are created to represent the air quality on a specific day. This is done to make sure that regular people are aware of the quantity of pollution in their area and its effects on their health. Though there are few technical limitations in the Air Quality Index measurement, in the event of malfunctions, essential steps are taken right away to get the system up and running again in a fair amount of time. Thus there is no denying that they serve as a guide in educating the public and creating awareness.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What pollutants are included in the calculation of the National Air Quality Index (NAQI)?

A) Carbon dioxide and methane
B) Particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and ammonia
C) Lead and arsenic
D) Hydrogen sulfide and chlorine

2. What NAQI value range indicates good air quality?

A) 0-50
B) 51-100
C) 101-200
D) 201-300

3. When the NAQI is classified as 'Severe,' what is the potential health impact?

A) No impact
B) Minor health effects
C) Serious health effects for the entire population
D) Increased likelihood of health effects for sensitive groups

4. What is a key purpose of the National Air Quality Index?

A) To measure economic growth
B) To provide information on air quality to the public
C) To assess weather patterns
D) To monitor climate change

5. Which action is advisable when the NAQI indicates poor air quality?

A) Increase outdoor physical activities
B) Limit outdoor activities and wear masks
C) Ignore the index
D) Open windows for ventilation

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the significance of the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) in managing air pollution in India. How does it aid in public health awareness?

Answer: The National Air Quality Index (NAQI) serves as a crucial tool in managing air pollution in India by providing a transparent and easy-to-understand measure of air quality across various regions. It enhances public health awareness by informing citizens about current air quality levels and associated health risks. This real-time information empowers individuals to make informed decisions regarding outdoor activities, especially vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. By raising awareness of air pollution issues, the NAQI encourages community engagement and action towards improving air quality, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and environmental policies.

Q2: Discuss the impact of poor air quality on public health in urban areas. What measures can be taken to mitigate these effects?

Answer: Poor air quality in urban areas has significant negative impacts on public health, leading to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature mortality. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk. To mitigate these effects, measures such as implementing stricter emissions regulations, promoting public transportation, and increasing green spaces can be effective. Public awareness campaigns can also play a crucial role in educating citizens about the health impacts of air pollution and encouraging behaviors that reduce exposure, such as using air purifiers and avoiding outdoor activities during high pollution days.

Q3: Analyze the challenges faced in implementing effective air quality management systems in India. What role can technology play in overcoming these challenges?

Answer: Implementing effective air quality management systems in India faces several challenges, including inadequate monitoring infrastructure, limited public awareness, and political will. Many regions lack sufficient air quality monitoring stations, leading to gaps in data collection and analysis. To address these challenges, technology can play a pivotal role by enabling the development of low-cost air quality sensors that can be deployed widely, providing real-time data on pollution levels. Additionally, mobile applications can facilitate public access to air quality information, raising awareness and promoting community action. Integrating data analytics and machine learning can enhance predictive modeling of pollution sources, informing policymakers and guiding interventions to improve air quality effectively.

Previous Year Questions on Air Quality Index

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What does the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) primarily measure?

A) Economic growth
B) Air quality
C) Water quality
D) Climate change

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The NAQI primarily measures air quality, providing an index that indicates the level of pollutants in the air.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Discuss the implications of poor air quality on public health and the steps that can be taken to improve it in urban settings." What role does the NAQI play in this context?

Answer: Poor air quality has significant implications for public health, particularly in urban areas, where it can lead to increased rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The NAQI serves as a critical tool in this context by providing real-time data on air pollution levels, enabling individuals to take precautionary measures. Improving air quality can involve implementing stricter emissions standards, enhancing public transport, and promoting green initiatives. The NAQI helps raise awareness and mobilize community efforts towards cleaner air, ultimately contributing to healthier urban environments.