Lucknow, Nov 15 (PTI) Major cities across Uttar Pradesh recorded 'poor' to 'very poor' air quality on Sunday, while some

Lucknow, Nov 15 (PTI) Major cities across Uttar Pradesh recorded 'poor' to 'very poor' air quality on Sunday, while some

Lucknow, Nov 15 (PTI) Major cities across Uttar Pradesh recorded 'poor' to 'very poor' air quality on Sunday, while some

Lucknow, Nov 15 (PTI) Major cities across Uttar Pradesh recorded 'poor' to 'very poor' air quality on Sunday, while some others saw an improvement in pollution levels compared to the previous day, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

     Moradabad and Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh recorded 'very poor' air quality with AQI readings of 323 and 338, respectively, while Gajraula recorded 319, according to the CPCB bulletin.

     The AQI in Moradabad rose from 294 on Saturday to 323. In Muzaffarnagar, it increased from 295 to 338. Gajraula, however, witnessed a slight improvement from 330 to 319.

     Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 243, down from 333 the day earlier. Greater Noida's reading improved from 324 to 225, while Noida recorded 265 against 318 on Saturday.

     Meerut also witnessed a significant improvement, with AQI declining from 367 to 217. Baghpat recorded 235 against 249 a day earlier, while Baraut's reading dropped from 320 to 214.

     Among other cities, Hapur recorded an AQI of 145, compared with 341 on Saturday. Modinagar registered 250 against 325, while Bulandshahr's reading declined from 248 to 207.

     Kanpur recorded an AQI of 202, marginally lower than 206 on Saturday. Anpara's reading increased from 265 to 281, while Varanasi witnessed a deterioration from 150 to 216.

     In the state capital, the AQI stood at 211 on Sunday, improving from 255 recorded on Saturday. The reading placed Lucknow in the 'poor' category, with PM2.5 emerging as the prominent pollutant.

     Agra recorded an AQI of 132, down from 142 the day earlier. Bareilly's reading increased slightly from 98 to 103, while Gorakhpur recorded 112 against 84 on Saturday.

     Prayagraj's AQI rose from 126 to 141, while Raebareli witnessed a deterioration from 154 to 225. Mathura's reading improved from 167 to 124.

     Firozabad recorded an AQI of 93 against 130 on Saturday, while Jhansi improved from 83 to 90 and Shamli from 230 to 90.

     According to CPCB standards, an AQI between zero and 50 is classified as 'good', 51 and 100 as 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 as 'moderate', 201 and 300 as 'poor', 301 and 400 as 'very poor', and 401 and 500 as 'severe'.

     As per the CPCB press note, prolonged exposure to 'poor' air may cause breathing discomfort to most people, while 'very poor' air quality can lead to respiratory illness. 'Severe' air affects even healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)