India’s Air Quality Index (AQI) currently categorizes any reading above 400 as “severe,” with a maximum published value capped at 500. This ceiling often presents a challenge when actual particulate matter concentrations, particularly during peak pollution events, far exceed this numerical limit, indicating an even more hazardous environment. While an AQI of 500 already signifies critical health warnings for all populations and potential impacts on healthy individuals, the inability to quantify levels beyond this point can obscure the true extent of toxicity in the atmosphere. This artificial cap raises concerns among environmental scientists and public health officials about accurately conveying the severity of air quality degradation to the populace and policymakers.
The underlying issue, according to expert analysis, largely stems from the longevity of India’s existing air quality management framework. This crucial system, which dictates how air pollution is measured, categorized, and communicated, has not undergone a comprehensive revision since its inception in 2009. Over a decade later, with pollution patterns evolving and scientific understanding of health impacts at extreme concentrations advancing, the framework is increasingly seen as outdated. An older methodology may not adequately address contemporary challenges, potentially leading to a disconnect between observed pollution levels and the officially reported figures. Updating the framework would allow for a more granular and accurate representation of air quality, potentially introducing new categories beyond 500 to reflect increasingly dangerous conditions. Such a revision is deemed essential to provide a clearer picture of the air pollution crisis, better inform public health advisories, and drive more robust policy interventions tailored to the actual environmental challenges faced across the country.
