WHO tightens global air quality norms

• Integrity Education, Delhi
• 23, Sep 2021

• 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

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