Many of India's big cities are experiencing such hazardous air pollution that it almost defies belief. standard measurement for healthy, normal, breathable air is set at level of 50 according to Air Quality Index (AQI). A level of 300 means air is hazardous to breathe. AQI website says 300 represents health alert and the city should be put under emergency conditions. website says that, "everyone may experience more serious health effects". On November 8, city of Chandrapur in Maharashtra reached AQI level of 824, to become India's most polluted city. capital New Delhi has reached AQI of 724. Environmentalists say many cities are now like "gas chambers".
toxic haze shrouds India's capital and residents are being warned to wear masks. Schools were ordered closed for three days. New Delhi generally has its fair share of pollution problems due to nine million vehicles that clog its streets, most not conforming to emissions standards. situation has been made worse recently due to number of factors. These include chemical pollution blowing in from nearby states, farmers setting fire to straw as autumn arrives, and lack of wind. To alleviate crisis, city officials have ordered roads to be doused with water to stop dust from rising. They have also banned diesel-powered electricity generators for 10 days, except at hospitals and cellphone towers.
