A thick layer of smog prevailed in Patna in the morning hours as the pollution level in the state capital slipped to the lower end of “very poor” category on Friday. The overall air quality index (AQI) in the city stood at 378, as per the daily bulletin released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The air quality early warning system for Patna under the ministry of earth sciences of the central government predicted that the air quality will remain “very poor” on Monday owing to calm wind, fall in temperature, and moisture, which are unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants in the air. There will be no large change in the weather as well for the next 48 hours.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. According to CPCB, severe AQI level can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases while very poor day can cause respiratory illnesses on prolonged exposure.