India is shining on the world map…err world pollution map. Like literally

Air pollution is a serious issue and this map show that we're in deep trouble

By: Shweta Ganjoo |
December 2, 2016 7:23 pm

The quality of air in India is deteriorating steadily. The condition is such that the quality of has remained largely unchanged despite of the numerous measures including- implementation of even-odd scheme in New Delhi, ban on the registration of luxury SUVs and diesel cars above 2000cc in the national capital and ban on burning crop residue in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh- taken by the government.

While the figures have improved significantly since Diwali, when pollution figures in the country sky-rocketed, the condition still remains within the danger mark.

According to the statistics by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the organisation that monitors air quality in India, the quality of air in Delhi remains critical with the level of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 being 197 micrograms per cubic metre as against the prescribed standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre, while the level of PM10 is 381 as against the prescribed standard of 100 micrograms per cubic metre.

However, India is not the only country that is suffering at the hands of air pollution. Parts of China, Niger, Chad and Sudan too are dealing with the issue of deteriorating air quality.

Air pollution in Africa (Photo: Air Visuals grab)

To keep a track of the ongoing situation and monitor the quality of air around the globe, data scientists have painstakingly developed a 3D real-time visualisation of the level of Earth’s air-pollution.

The map shows global wind flow along with the colour-coded concentration of PM 2.5, which is monitored using small ground-based air monitors that are placed around the world.

As far as India is concerned, the 3D map shows the concentration of PM2.5 according to the US Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 150 and 300 and above. The colour coding that varies between brown and deep-red is certainly a cause of concern for all.

Here’s what India looks like:

Air Pollution in India (Photo: Air Visuals grab)