Katihar, Purnia country’s most polluted towns

The Air Pollution scenario continued to remain grim in the state as air quality index (AQI) in 10 towns was either in “very poor” or “severe” categories on Friday. Apart from the Bihar towns, Muzaffarnagar inUttar Pradeshwas the only other town in the country where theAQIwas in “very poor” category.

Katihar and Purnia were the most polluted places in the country on Friday with “severe” AQI of 425 and 416, respectively, according to the daily AQI bulletin issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The AQI was in “poor” to “very poor” categories in eight state towns. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered “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 the “very poor” air can cause respiratory illnesses on prolonged exposure.