Ambient air quality in Hyderabad in 2023 was within the permissible limits prescribed for the country, yet far worse when compared with the standards advocated by the World Health Organisation.
A report published by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, the city in 2023 had on an average 39.9 µg (microgram) of particulate matter with diameter equal to or less than 2.5 micrometres (referred to as PM 2.5) every cubic metre (m³), almost touching the upper limit of 40 µg/m³. It is, however, an improvement from the previous year, when the PM2.5 was recorded at 42.4 µg/m³.
PM2.5 describes fine inhalable particles that pose great danger to human health by entering the blood stream. The Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards has set the maximum permissible limit of the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 at 40 µg/m³. The standards are not constant; they change based on the technological stature achieved by the country.
