Kalpa Publications in Civil Engineering

Volume 1, 2017, Pages 124–131

ICRISET2017. International Conference on Re-
search and Innovations in Science, Engineering
&Technology. Selected papers in Civil Engineering

Ambient Air Quality Assessment using Air

Quality Index of Delhi
Jay S. Patel1 Hirva U. Salvi2 and Neha R. Patel3
1
EasyChair
2
BVM Engineering College, Gujarat, INDIA.
[email protected], [email protected]

Abstract
Urban air pollution is rapidly increasing in Indian cities. It affects the health and
mental status of urban dwellers. In the present study, air pollutants data were collected
for a year 2016 at 4 locations in Delhi from Central Pollution Control Board. The present
study incorporates the analysis of the ambient air in Delhi city using Air Quality Index
(AQI). An AQI is proposed for the city of Delhi, India for easy data interpretation and
understanding of air quality. The air pollutants analyzed are Sulfur dioxide (SO 2),
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Particulate matter (PM2.5). The locations selected are
Dwarka, R.K Puram, Panjabi Baugh, and Anand Vihar. The AQI were calculated using
IND-AQI procedure. It has been observed that AQI’s values of all four locations falls
under very poor category. The overall AQI was found under very poor and sever
categories. It was found that AQI values were very high during winter season and low
during monsoon season. The AQI of PM2.5 was found exceeding the limits for all the
months in each location. Thus, it is observed that PM 2.5 is critical pollutant at these four
locations in Delhi.
Keywords: Air Pollution, Air Quality Index, Particulate Matter (PM 2.5), SO2, NO2

Introduction
Clear air is essential for the healthy life and sustainability of humans. The presence of dangerous
substances in the form of particulate matters and gases in the air leads to the degradation of air quality.
Anthropogenic emission such as particulate matter and various gaseous emissions are being pumped
into the atmosphere.
Urban air quality is degrading at a faster rate due to combustion of fossil fuel that is used in
generation of power, transportation, industrial needs and other activities. Air pollution causes a
damaging effect on the physiology as well as the psychology of urban dwellers. Number of studies
carried out on Indian cities showered that ambient air pollution concentrations are very high risking the
life of people continuous deterioration of ambient air in cities due to urban activities along with lack of

C.D. Modhera, G.J. Joshi, D. Soni, I.N. Patel, A.K. Verma, L.B. Zala, S.D. Dhiman, D.R. Bhatt, J.M.
Rathod, B.C. Goradiya, M.S. Holia and D.K. Patel (eds.), ICRISET2017 (Kalpa Publications in Civil
Engineering, vol. 1), pp. 124–131
Ambient Air Quality Assessment... Jay S. Patel, Hirva U. Salvi and Neha R. Patel

mitigation measures will worsen the problem in future. The pollutants responsible for adversely
affecting the air quality are SPM, RSPM, SO2, CO, and NO2. These pollutants exposure on a prolong
time period can cause cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Delhi is among the most polluted cities
of India and the world and provides a good choice for study. The air quality reports published by central
pollution control board has showed the presence of various pollutants exceeding the limits over a years,
the report published by world health organization indicated the rise in deaths due to air pollution in
Delhi. Number of steps taken the part under the observation of Supreme Court of India including
switching over a CNG introduction of batter standard of fuel, intermittent closer of power plant located
in Delhi closing of air polluting industries; odd-ever plan for playing private cars on road. In spite of
all these, the level of air pollution is increasing due to rapid population growth and expanding industrial
activities in and around the Delhi. The city has highest registered motor vehicle in India more than other
cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
Air quality monitoring in Delhi carried out at various localities. The monitoring is carried out by
various organizations such as central pollution control board, Delhi pollution control committee
(DPCC) and system of air quality and whether forecasting and research (SAFAR) of Indian institute of
tropical meteorology (IITM), Pune the monitoring data provides a large volume of data that do not
provide a clear picture to policy maker or to a common man regarding the status of air quality in terms
of how good or bad the air is? The raw data can be presented in statistical forms but become confusing
for the common people. As a result, people tend to lose interest and cannot understand the state of air
quality. To overcome this problem the concept of air quality index (AQI) has been developed.
In the past, some studies were carried out for air quality assessment of Delhi. The present study
includes the daily averaged concentration data of air pollutants for the year 2016 based on AQI values.
This IND-AQI has six categories.

Category Range
Good 0-50
Satisfactory 51-100
Moderately Polluted 101 - 200
Poor 201 - 300
Very poor 301 - 400
Severe 401 - 500
Table 1: Various Categories of IND-AQI (National Air Quality Index, CPCB, Oct. 2014)

Air Quality Index

AQI is a tool developed by the United States environmental protection agency (USEPA) to
characterize the air quality. An AQI transforms weighted values of individual air pollution related
parameters into a single number on set of numbers.

Material and Methods

Study area

Delhi is geographically located in north India at 28°21’17” and 28°53’00’’ N 77°45’30” and
77°21’30’’ E long, spreading across and area of 1483 km². It is administrated by central and state
government. As per the census 2011, Delhi is inhabited by approximately 16.3 million people making
it the second most populous city in India.

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Ambient Air Quality Assessment... Jay S. Patel, Hirva U. Salvi and Neha R. Patel

Delhi experiences dry climate and extreme summer and winter. Delhi is four well-designed seasons.
Winter (December to February), summer (March to June), Monsoon (July to September) and post
monsoon (October to November), Delhi has taken various steps control the air pollution level during
last decade however more efforts are required to improve the ambient air quality of Delhi.

Air Quality Data

CPCB along with DPCC and SAFAR monitors. The level of pollutants in various areas of Delhi
under the national Ambient air quality-monitoring program (NAAQMP) the daily average
concentration data of NO₂, SO₂ and PM₂.₅ were collected from the CPCB for different monitoring
stations located in Figure 1 shows location of the monitoring stations.

Figure 1: Delhi Air Quality Monitoring Stations (Source: CPCB)

AQI Development

The sub-index values of various pollutants values calculated based on the maximum operation
system of USEPA for each month of year 2016. The maximum value of sub-indices for each pollutant
taken to represent overall AQI. The mathematical use for calculating the sub-indices is as follows:-:

(𝐼𝐻𝐼 − 𝐼𝐿𝑂
𝐼𝑝 = ( × (𝐶𝑃 − 𝐵𝑃𝐿𝑂 )) + 𝐼𝐿𝑂 (1)
𝐵𝑃𝐻𝐼 − 𝐵𝑃𝐿𝑂

Where, Iᴩ is the Sub-index of pollutants, Cᴩ is the Pollutants concentration, BPHI is the Break point
concentration greater or equal to given concentration, BPLO is the Break point concentration smaller
equal to given concentration, IHI is the sub-index or AQI value corresponding to B PHI, ILO is the sub
index or AQI value corresponding to B PLO. The table 2 shows the Linear segmented relationship for
sub-index values and the corresponding pollutant concentrations that calibrated to Indian conditions.

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Ambient Air Quality Assessment... Jay S. Patel, Hirva U. Salvi and Neha R. Patel

AQI Category Range PM2.5 SO2 NO2

(24hrs) (24hrs) (24hrs)
Good (0-50) 0-30 0-40 0-40
Satisfactory (51–100) 31-60 41-80 41-80
Moderately Polluted (101–200) 61-90 81-380 81-180
Poor (201-300) 91-120 381-800 181-280
Very Poor (301-400) 121-250 801-1600 281-400
Severe (401-500) >250 >1600 >400
Table 2: Breakpoints of various pollutants (National Air Quality Index, CPCB, Oct. 2014) (Units: µg/m3)

Results and Discussion

The air quality trends compared on yearly basis for all the monitoring stations:

AQI analysis of different air quality monitoring stations

In the analysis, it was observed that AQI values very widely among various stations.

A. Dwarka Monitoring Station

The study shows that maximum and minimum concentration of PM 2.5, SO2 and NO2 are 1033.76
µg/m3 and 40.28 µg/m3, 122.64 µg/m3 and 1.46 µg/m3, 108 µg/m3 and 4.22 µg/m3. The AQI values for
all months except August falls under very poor category. The PM2.5 is critical pollutant at this location.

B. R.K. Puram Monitoring Station

The study shows that maximum and minimum concentration of PM 2.5, SO2 and NO2 are 713.11
µg/m3 and 18.55 µg/m3, 317.75 µg/m3 and 4.15 µg/m3, 150.17 µg/m3 and 21.72 µg/m3. The AQI values
falls under very poor, Moderate, Satisfactory and Severe categories. The AQI values of July and August
falls under satisfactory category. The PM2.5 is critical pollutant at this location.
C. Punjabi Baugh Monitoring Station
The study shows that maximum and minimum concentration of PM2.5, SO2 and NO2 are 783.14
µg/m3 and 11.31 µg/m3, 130.41 µg/m3 and 0.42 µg/m3, 196.74 µg/m3 and 21.72 µg/m3. The AQI values
falls under poor, very poor, Moderate, Satisfactory and Severe categories. The AQI values from June
to September falls under satisfactory category. The PM 2.5 is critical pollutant at this location.
D. Anand Vihar Monitoring Station
The study shows that maximum and minimum concentration of PM 2.5, SO2 and NO2 are 848.55
µg/m3 and 20.84 µg/m3, 607.9 µg/m3 and 4.76 µg/m3, 192.13 µg/m3 and 0.24 µg/m3. The AQI values
falls under poor, very poor, Moderate, Satisfactory and Severe categories. The AQI values July and
August falls under satisfactory category. The PM2.5 is critical pollutant at this location.

The overall AQI of all this stations exceeds the satisfactory level value, which indicates the poor air
quality.

Analysis of AQI trend for different seasons:

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Ambient Air Quality Assessment... Jay S. Patel, Hirva U. Salvi and Neha R. Patel

It was found that for all the stations the AQI values were high during winter season and low during
monsoon season on account of low wind speed resulting into low dispersion air pollutants.
600
Air Quality Index
Concentration (µg/m3)

400

200

Month
AQI Dwarka AQI R.K.Puram AQI Panjabi Baugh
AQI Anand Vihar AQI Limit
Figure 2: Variation of AQI at various locations

AQI
Month
Dwarka R.K Puram Panjabi Baugh Anand Vihar
January 365 412 418 461
February 323 309 332 336
March 207 235 215 302
April 310 307 207 324
May 303 271 144 235
June 353 164 90 210
July 312 73 62 97
August 97 69 52 82
September 244 118 79 154
October 316 328 322 363
November 372 420 438 482
December 332 361 392 434
Table 3: Monthly Air Quality Index Value of monitoring stations of Delhi (2016)

100.000 Sulfur dioxide

Concentration(µg/m3)

80.000
60.000
40.000
20.000
0.000

Month
Dwarka R.K.Puram Panjabi Baugh Anand Vihar Limit (µg/m3)

Figure 3: Monthly variation of Sulfur dioxide at various locations

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Ambient Air Quality Assessment... Jay S. Patel, Hirva U. Salvi and Neha R. Patel

150.000
Nitrogen dioxide
Concentration(µg/m3)
100.000

50.000

0.000

Month
Dwarka R.K.Puram Panjabi Baugh Anand Vihar Limit (µg/m3)

Figure 4: Monthly variation of Nitrogen dioxide at various locations

400.000 PM2.5
350.000
Concentration(µg/m3)

300.000
250.000
200.000
150.000
100.000
50.000
0.000

Month

Dwarka R.K.Puram Panjabi Baugh Anand Vihar Limit (µg/m3)

Figure 5: Monthly variation of Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) at various locations

400 AQI (Dwarka)

Concentration(µg/m3)

350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0

Month
Dwarka Limit (µg/m3)

Figure 6: Variation of AQI at Dwarka

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Ambient Air Quality Assessment... Jay S. Patel, Hirva U. Salvi and Neha R. Patel

450 AQI (R.K PURAM)

Concentration(µg/m3) 400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0

Month
R.K.Puram Limit(µg/m3)
Figure 7: Variation of AQI at R.K Puram

500
AQI (PANJABI BAUGH)
Concentration (µg/m3)

400

300

200

100

Month
Panjabi Baugh Limit (µg/m3)
Figure 8: Variation of AQI at Panjabi Baugh

AQI (ANAND VIHAR)

Concentration (µg/m3)

600
500
400
300
200
100
0

Month
Anand Vihar Limit (µg/m3)

Figure 9: Variation of AQI at Anand Vihar

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