Delhi saw a  significant ozone build-up this summer, which is adding to the public health risk, claims an analysis by a Delhi based NGO, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The real time air quality data analysis by CSE shows that Delhi and neighbouring areas are highly vulnerable to deadly ozone pollution.

The monitoring was done between April and May from different locations in Delhi. Residential areas including Punjabi Bagh, Civil Lines, RK Puram and Mandir Marg were monitored along with areas near AIIMS and Lodhi Estate.

The ozone level in Civil Lines, where Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal resides, is more than twice the standards and falls in the ‘poor’ category of the National Air Quality Index (NAQI).

SEE: Summer ozone fact sheet


CSE warns that healt waves and sunshine have increased the frequency of days with unhealthy levels of ozone with serious public health consequences. This could have been worse this summer if intermittent rains had not cooled down the weather occasionally.

Ground-level ozone is formed when oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile gases, especially from vehicles, are exposed to each other in sunlight. Warm and stagnant air increases the formation of ozone.

Ozone is extremely hazardous for human health. It

worsens symptoms of asthma, lung function impairment and damages lung tissues apart from causing chest pain, coughing, nausea, headaches and chest congestion, heart and respiratory diseases.