Mumbai (India’s financial capital) Air Quality Index has been witnessing “very poor” as air quality is deteriorating in recent days.
Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index Thursday morning was at 315, regarded as ‘very poor’, which was higher than Delhi’s AQI at 263 or in the ‘poor’ category, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
Experts say rapid construction, adverse weather conditions and increasing pollution from vehicle emissions are some of the factors responsible for the deteriorating air quality
Mumbai has so far not suffered poor air quality for prolonged periods, but Mr. Goenka, an executive trustee of non-profit Conservation Action Trust focused on urban ecological issues, said the city’s air quality was likely to worsen due to infrastructure expansion.
What precautions should citizens take while outdoors as Air Quality Index Deteriorates?
Measures that help could be using masks (preferably high-efficiency masks such as N-95 or K-95 masks), avoiding the outdoors when the AQI is poor, or limiting oneself to essential activities outdoors.
“One needs to change masks frequently, as pollution of this magnitude can cause frequent clogging of the masks, making it difficult to breathe. Those with asthma (especially children) should be regular with using their inhalers, especially when playing sports outdoors,” Doctor said.
