Delhi's air quality still 'severe'; students in Gurugram wear masks to school – Watch!

As per SAFAR, the particulate matter levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 surpassed the 500-mark at all locations on Tuesday.

Students wear masks to schools- Image credit: ANI

New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital continued to be "severe" on Tuesday with levels of particulate matter - PM 2.5 and PM 10 - breaching the safety standards in all areas.

As per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the particulate matter levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 surpassed the 500-mark at all locations in Delhi.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi remained severe with the index value 442 at 9 a.m.

As the pollution levels in the national capital remained hazardous with thick smog engulfing the city and NCR region post Diwali celebrations, school children in Gurugram were seen using face masks to protect themselves from the toxic air.

In the following video posted by News Agency ANI, one of the students was quoted as saying that she felt irritation in her eyes and found it difficult to breathe because of the pollution caused due to bursting of crackers during Diwali.

With Delhi witnessing its worst spell of smog in 17 years, customers are thronging e-commerce platforms such as Snapdeal, Flipkart and Amazon to buy air purifiers and masks to protect themselves from the thick cloud of smog that has been shrouding the city for nearly a week.

Delhi's air has levels of harmful PM 2.5 particles hovering at dangerous levels, something that has been seen in cities like Beijing. These fine particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter are linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease.

(With Agencies input)