Air quality data generated by the Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) for 2007 under the National Air Quality Monitoring
Programme (NAMP) presents deadly facts about air pollution
levels in Indian cities. Centre for Science and Environment has
analysed the official data to assess the state of air quality
and trend in Indian cities. The most widely monitored pollutants
in India are particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
sulphur dioxide (SO2), and on a limited scale carbon monoxide.
Some of the worst forms of air pollutions are found in Indian
cities. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) considers air
to be ‘clean’ if the levels are below 50 per cent of the
prescribed standards for pollutants. During 2007 only 2 per cent
cities have low air pollution on the basis of PM10. In about 80
per cent of cities (of a total of 127 cities/towns monitored
under the NAMP) at least one criteria pollutant exceeded the
annual average ambient air quality standards. This has serious
public health implications.