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India's Air Quality Index: Capped at 500 Amid Crisis

11/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

India caps its air quality index at 500, even as private monitors report readings above 600 or 1,000.
The cap was set more than a decade ago to prevent public panic.
Experts say the cap oversimplifies pollution severity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies PM2.5 above 15 micrograms per cubic meter as hazardous, while India's threshold remains at 60 micrograms per cubic meter.
India uses standardized Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAM).

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Story summary

India caps its air quality index at 500, even as private monitors report readings above 600 or 1,000.
The cap was set more than a decade ago to prevent public panic.
Experts say the cap oversimplifies pollution severity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies PM2.5 above 15 micrograms per cubic meter as hazardous, while India's threshold remains at 60 micrograms per cubic meter.
India uses standardized Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAM).