India pollution monitors overwhelmed by toxic smog
Summary
India's air pollution monitors in New Delhi were overwhelmed by toxic Diwali smog, with some readings exceeding calibrated limits and official data gaps drawing accusations of under-reporting. Regulators denied deliberate manipulation, saying the missing readings reflected extreme pollution levels beyond the devices' range.
Key Points
- Air pollution monitors in New Delhi were overwhelmed by toxic smog during Diwali, with concentrations exceeding the upper measurement limit.
- Opposition politicians accused authorities of allowing gaps in official pollution readings overnight when fireworks worsened air quality.
- The Central Pollution Control Board denied deliberate under-reporting, saying the gaps occurred because readings went beyond calibrated range.
- Monitoring later recorded PM2.5 levels as high as 879 micrograms per cubic metre in Mandir Marg, far above WHO guidelines.
