Health • 2024-02-08
Air Quality in India: AQI Explained and How to Protect Yourself
What AQI means, India air quality problems, and practical ways to protect your family from air pollution.
air quality IndiaAQIair pollutionN95 maskHEPA purifier
⏱ 1 min read
India's Air Quality Crisis
India is home to many of the world's most polluted cities. Air pollution is the second-leading risk factor for premature death in India, responsible for 1.7 million deaths annually (2019 data, HEI).
What is AQI?
Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardised scale measuring air pollution. India uses the National AQI published by CPCB:
| AQI Range | Category | Health Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 | Good | Minimal impact |
| 51–100 | Satisfactory | Minor discomfort for sensitive people |
| 101–200 | Moderate | Discomfort for asthma/heart disease patients |
| 201–300 | Poor | Breathing discomfort for most people |
| 301–400 | Very Poor | Respiratory illness on prolonged exposure |
| 401–500 | Severe | Affects healthy people; serious impact on sensitive groups |
How to Check AQI
- CPCB app (official): Sameer app
- IQAir app or iqair.com
- AQI India website: aqicn.org/city/india
- Weather apps (Google Weather shows AQI)
Protecting Yourself from Air Pollution
Outdoors
- Wear N95 masks (not surgical masks) on high-AQI days
- Avoid outdoor exercise when AQI > 150
- Exercise in early morning when pollution is lower
- Avoid areas with heavy traffic
Indoors
- Install HEPA air purifier in bedrooms
- Keep windows closed during high-pollution days
- Add air-purifying indoor plants: Spider plant, Peace lily, Snake plant
- Avoid incense, agarbatti, and mosquito coils — they're PM2.5 sources
Diet
- Vitamin C-rich foods (amla, orange) reduce oxidative stress
- Jaggery (gur) helps flush particulate matter
- Omega-3 foods reduce inflammation from pollution exposure