India, June 12 -- Just after the winter months, when air quality appears to improve with the air quality monitoring stations hitting the green mark, a closer look at data from February to April reveals a different story.

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) in a report states that of the 89 days observed, 49 days (55%) breached the permissible PM 10 limit of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), according to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less is small enough to be inhaled.

According to NAAQS, an AQI (Air Quality Index) of 100 in PM10 is the permissible limit in 24-hours; annually it is 60.

In the month of February, al...