A Comprehensive Study on the Assessment of Air Quality Index of Delhi using historical data

Abstract

Many developed nations have established and used AQI as a basis for classifying the ambient environment. The area's daily air quality index (AQI) is used to report how clean or dirty the air is and the health impacts that are linked to it. The research presented in this paper is the assessment of air quality index of the capital city of India, Delhi. The historical data of AQI and six pollutants PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO and O3 were collected for a period of 5 years from 2020 to 2024 through Kaggle App. The monthly and annual averages were calculated. The computed monthly averages shows that the AQI is less in the months of July, August and September whereas it is more in the months of November, December, January and February. Moderate AQI values were noticed in the months of March, April, May and June. A reduced life expectancy as well as cardiovascular and respiratory disorders has been related to Delhi's poor air quality. The paper also explores the precautionary measures that Delhi city should implement to improve the AQI.

Introduction: An indicator number used to report the daily or hourly air quality in a region or locale is called the Air Quality Index (AQI). AQI's main goal is to safeguard the general public's health particularly that of vulnerable groups likes the elderly, young children, and asthmatics. The public is informed by regulatory bodies about the quality of the air in their surroundings and the health consequences that come with it.

Objectives: The main objective of the proposed research work is to assess the air quality index (AQI) of Delhi, the capital of India, using historical data. The data for a period of 5 years from 2020-2024 was gathered through the kaggle app. Furthermore the paper also explains the precautionary steps that Delhi should incorporate to improve the AQI.    

Methods: The monthly and annual averages of Delhi City's air quality index (AQI) were calculated using the daily data collected during a five-year period from 2020 to 2024. Data on six pollutants—PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3—were also gathered for the same study period in addition to the AQI data.

Results: The computed monthly averages show that the AQI is lower in July, August, and September and higher in November, December, January, and February. AQI levels were moderate in March, April, May, and June. Another significant finding is that, in comparison to the previous years of the study period, the yearly averages of the AQI and the six pollutants—PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3—are lower for 2020. This is explained by the fact that Delhi was placed under total lockdown in 2020 as a result of COVID 19.

Conclusions: Delhi is in the news because of its persistently poor air quality index (AQI) measurements, especially in the winter.  High Air Quality Index (AQI) readings are concerning since they frequently approach "severe" or even "severe-plus" levels. Due to a variety of issues, including industrial pollution, construction dust, vehicle emissions, and—most importantly—stubble burning in nearby states, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) regularly rises above the advised safe limits, with some readings reaching levels deemed detrimental to human health. The results presented in this paper demonstrate how AQI varied during the study period from 2020 to 2024. Low AQI values were observed especially in the year 2020. The reason for the decrease in AQI was due to less pollution levels as lockdown was implemented in the city. However from 2021 to 2024 there was a rapid rise in AQI due to more pollution. Delhi can greatly enhance its air quality and provide a better atmosphere for its citizens by putting the precautionary steps outlined in this paper into practice.