Archive · 17 Jun 2025
Delhi-NCR Air: Ozone Levels Exceed Safety Limits This Summer
Imagine the air around Delhi-NCR as not so clean because of ozone.
This summer, the air had too much ozone, which is not good for breathing.
It can hurt people's lungs, like kids and the elderly.
Experts are worried because this is not being addressed well enough.
They want to make sure that everyone is aware of the problem and action is taken before it gets any worse.
Delhi-NCR's ground-level ozone exceeded safe limits this summer, according to a CSE report.
Ozone levels surpassed safe limits on several days, becoming the dominant pollutant.
Ozone is not included in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which guides air pollution measures.
Experts warn unchecked ozone levels could cause a public health crisis, especially for vulnerable groups.
Recommendations include integrating ozone into action plans and regional strategies to combat pollution.
- Who
- The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released a report.
- What
- Ground-level ozone pollution in Delhi-NCR exceeded safe limits.
- When
- This summer, specifically between March and May, and on 12 out of 18 days between May 25 and June 11.
- Where
- Delhi-NCR region, with hotspots in Delhi and surrounding NCR areas.
- Why
- Due to a lack of action and monitoring, leading to potential public health crises.
Experts' View
Government Action
Pollution Control Approach
Experts' View
Advocates inclusion of ozone in clean air plans for action.
Government Action
Government focus is mainly on particulate matter, neglecting ozone.
- Organization
- Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
- Pollutant
- Ground-level ozone
- Safe Limit (8-hour avg)
- 100 µg/m³
- Highest Concentration (Delhi)
- 135 µg/m³ on April 13
- Highest Concentration (NCR)
- 139 µg/m³ on April 25
- Primary Sources of Ozone
- Vehicles, industry, and combustion
- Recommendation
- Include ozone in Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)