Experts Explain Why Mumbai's Air Quality Index is Surpassing Delhi's Smog-Filled AQI

It is usually the national capital, Delhi, that makes headlines for having dangerous levels of air pollution during the winter months.

But the BBC reported that Mumbai, which has a vast coastline and is considered to have better air quality, overtook Delhi pollution levels several times this week.

Mumbai has joined a growing list of Indian cities that have bad air.

Experts say rapid construction, adverse weather conditions and increasing pollution from vehicle emissions are some of the factors responsible for the deteriorating air quality.

The level of PM 2.5 — a fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and cause a host of diseases — was 308 in the city on Friday morning at 8.30 a.m., compared to Delhi's reading of 259, according to government data, the BBC reported.

A figure between zero and 50 is considered "good", and between 51 and 100 is "satisfactory", according to the air quality index or AQI.

Meanwhile, local hospitals in Mumbai have reported an increase in the number of people coming in with breathing difficulties and other ailments related to the poor air quality, the BBC reported.

Doctors have advised people to wear masks and avoid going out when not necessary. Mumbai's civic officials say they were taking urgent steps to improve the air quality.

Bad air quality in Indian cities was causing serious health issues for people. A Lancet study reported that pollution led to more than 2.3 million premature deaths in India in 2019, the BBC reported.

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The above article has been published from a wire source with minimal modifications to the headline and text.