Evaluation of Air Quality Index for Air Quality Data Interpretation in Delhi, India

Metro cities across the world use air quality index (AQI) as a tool for local air quality management. The basic purpose of the AQI system is to interpret the air quality status based on potential human health impacts. In the air quality indexing system, ranges of air pollutant concentration are characterized into different categories of air quality on the basis of health implication criteria. Standardized public health advisories are used for different categories of air quality for general public awareness. AQI values at the regional level are normally reported in the media to enhance public access and awareness. In the present study, air quality of Delhi, India has been interpreted, and seasonal and spatial deviation of air quality mapped to enable health risk communication. We also highlight the linkage of air quality with daily nontrauma mortality rate. A significant correlation of air quality with daily non-trauma death rate was observed. The female population was found to be more vulnerable to poor air quality in comparison to the males. Among the different age groups, maximum vulnerability was observed for the population aged 65 years and above. Average air quality status of Delhi was observed at a level which can cause breathing uneasiness to those with respiratory comorbidities, as well as for children and aged people. Direct linkages of different air pollutants with associated health impact estimates have been worked out by several researchers in the past. The present study evaluates the effect estimates on daily non-trauma mortality values with AQI levels. The findings of this study are consistent with earlier reports and provide additional evidence for health impact linked to poor air quality.