Delhi’s air quality is monitored by a network of air quality monitoring stations. These stations use a combination of sensors to measure the levels of various pollutants in the air, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The data collected by these stations is then used to calculate the Air Quality Index (AQI), which is a measure of the overall air quality in the city.
The AQI is calculated based on the levels of pollutants in the air, with higher levels indicating poorer air quality. The AQI is categorized into six levels, ranging from “good” to “severe”. The data from the monitoring stations is also used to identify the sources of pollution in the city, such as industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and construction sites.
The Indian Express article highlights the challenges faced by the air quality monitoring stations in Delhi, including the issue of faulty sensors and the lack of standardization in the measurement protocols. This can lead to inconsistent and inaccurate readings, which can make it difficult to determine the true air quality in the city.