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WHO tightens global air quality norms

  • Integrity Education, Delhi
  • 23, Sep 2021
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  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its first-ever update since 2005 has tightened global air pollution standards.
  • WHO announces limits for six pollutant categories —particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and 10, ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO).
  • This will not have an immediate effect in India as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) do not meet the WHO’s existing standards
  • India aligns with the WHO guidelines only in the case of ozone and carbon monoxide
  • The government has a dedicated National Clean Air Programme that aims for a 20% to 30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024 in 122 cities, keeping 2017 as the base year

 

WHO

(2005)

WHO

(2021)

INDIA

(NAAQS)

PM 2.5 annual mean 10 5 40
PM 2.5 24 hr mean 25 15 60
PM 10 annual mean 20 15 60
PM 10 24 hr mean 50 45 100