Air quality crisis: Work from home for 50 per cent staff in government, private offices

Amidst a worsening air quality crisis in Delhi, the Centre has taken stringent measures to curb pollution levels and protect public health. As the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed the 450 mark, triggering the final stage of the Centre's air pollution control plan, Stage IV, several restrictions have been imposed.

Effective immediately, 50% of the staff in government and private offices in Delhi have been directed to work from home. This measure aims to reduce vehicular emissions and the overall number of people commuting during peak hours.

Furthermore, a complete ban has been imposed on construction work related to linear public projects in Delhi-NCR. This includes projects such as roads, highways, and railways. The ban is expected to significantly reduce dust pollution, a major contributor to Delhi's air pollution woes.

In addition, the entry of all polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into Delhi has been prohibited. This restriction is aimed at curbing the emissions from diesel-powered vehicles, which are known to be major sources of air pollution.

The Delhi government has also taken steps to protect young children from the harmful effects of air pollution. All primary schools in the city have been ordered to remain closed for two days. This measure is intended to minimize children's exposure to polluted air and protect their health.

Latest Delhi Air Pollution Data

As of Sunday, November 5, 2023, the PM2.5 concentration in Delhi is 999 µg/m³, which is significantly above the safe limit of 25 µg/m³ set by the World Health Organization (WHO). PM2.5 is a type of particulate matter that is considered to be particularly harmful to human health.

The PM10 concentration in Delhi is 190 µg/m³, which is also above the safe limit of 50 µg/m³ set by the WHO. PM10 is another type of particulate matter that can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi is currently 320, which falls into the "hazardous" category. This means that air pollution levels are extremely high and pose a serious risk to public health.

Impact of Air Pollution on Health

Exposure to high levels of air pollution can lead to a range of health problems, including:

• Respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia
• Cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke
• Lung cancer
• Premature death

Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution