The Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), which directly affects breathing, has gone up by five times from the national ambiance air quality standard, stated scientists from System of Air quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
"The 24-hours average of PM10 was recorded at 427 mg per cubic metre and PM2.5 was at 278 mpcm, almost five times higher than the prescribed standard of 100 mpcm and 60 mpcm respectively," said senior scientist Dr Gufran Beig at SAFAR, which is jointly run by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and India Meteorological Department.
Since 10 PM onwards, an upward trend was witnessed at all six air quality monitoring stations in Delhi.
According to real time ambient air quality data of Delhi Pollution Control Committee, PM2.5 was at its peak at 5.30 AM and recorded 724 microgram per cubic meter (mpcm) in R K Puram.
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At Mandir Marg, the particulate matter PM2.5 was at its peak at 2.30 AM and recorded 984 mpcm while PM10 was recorded as 1,200 mpcm highest at 2 AM.
The peak pollution level monitored in Civil Lines was PM2.5 at 999.85 mpcm from 11 PM to 2.30 AM and the PM10 was 1,000 mpcm from 9 PM to 3 AM.
At Anand Vihar, PM2.5 was recorded highest at 814 mpcm at 1 AM while PM10 was highest at 1500 mpcm during midnight.