Air quality in Delhi improved marginally but still remained in the "poor" category as values of prominent pollutants — Particulate Matter (10) was recorded 282 microgram per cubic, however, value of PM 2.5 was still recorded "very high" on National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAAQI) on Wednesday.
However on Tuesday values of both the pollutants were recorded abnormally higher then prescribed standards. The unfavourable meteorological conditions slowed down dispersion of pollutants even as thick haze engulfed the city as per the authorities.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) , the overall AQI was recorded at 323. An AQI between 0 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'.
The CPCB said 25 areas of Delhi recorded 'very poor' air quality while 11 areas recorded 'poor' air quality. The level of PM2.5 — particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres — was recorded at 179 and the PM10 level was recorded at 338, it said.
In NCR, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida recorded 'very poor' air quality while Gurgaon fell into the 'poor' category, the CPCB data showed.