News: According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar), the impact of the measures taken due to the coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a drop in PM2.5 by 30% in Delhi and by 15% in Ahmedabad and Pune.
Facts:
- SAFAR is a system to measure the air quality of a metropolitan city. It measures the overall pollution level and the location-specific air quality of the city.
- Launched by:Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
- Developed by:Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune
- Operationalized by: India Meteorological Department (IMD).
- Cities covered: Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad
- Information provided:
- Air quality forecast, 1-3 days in advance (Pollutants measured: PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, and Mercury)
- Weather forecast, 1-3 days in advance
- Location-specific UV index information
- Emission scenario
Additional Facts:
Air Quality Index (AQI):
- The AQI classifies air quality of a day considering criteria pollutants through colour codes and air quality descriptor. Further, it also links air quality with likely human health impacts.
- Measures eight major pollutants: particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5), nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, ammonia and lead.
