National Air Quality Index (AQI) is launched by the government to monitor the quality of air in major urban centres across the country on a real-time basis and enhancing public awareness for taking mitigative action. In this context, consider the following statements:

(1) AQI will have 'one number, one colour and one description' to inform the public about air quality in a simple and understandable format easily

(2) There are six AQI categories, namely: good, satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor and severe

(3) The index considers eight pollutants - PM10, PM2.5, NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃, NH₃ and Pb

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

OPSC OAS (Preliminary) Exam (GS) Official Paper-I (Held On: 15 Dec, 2024)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Option 4: 1, 2 and 3

Key Points

Statement 1: The AQI is designed to be user-friendly, providing information with a simple format: 'one number, one colour, and one description' to make it easily understandable for the public about the air quality in their area.
Statement 2: The AQI is divided into six categories: good, satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor, and severe, which are used to indicate the severity of air pollution.
Statement 3: The index considers eight pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), ammonia (NH3), and lead (Pb). These pollutants are key indicators of air quality and public health risk.

Important Points

The AQI provides a comprehensive and standardized measure of air quality, making it easier for individuals to understand the pollution levels in their area and take necessary precautions.
The categories of the AQI help people gauge the potential health effects of the current air quality and guide them on actions to reduce exposure.

Additional Information

The AQI system helps to alert the public about air quality status in a way that is understandable to everyone, from policymakers to citizens.
Real-time monitoring of air quality helps authorities and citizens take timely actions, such as limiting outdoor activities or implementing pollution control measures during high pollution events.