Proposed City-specific Interim Targets for India Based on WHO Air Quality Guidelines 2021

Abstract

The World Health Organization has proposed the ambient air quality guidelines 2021. The uniqueness of the guidelines of the World Health Organization - air quality guidelines 2021 - is the inclusion of interim targets. Higher levels of air pollutants including PM2.5 for ambient air in India were recorded in recent times, and its association with respiratory and cardiovascular health risks was evidenced in the recent literature. To achieve the ambient air quality standards in India as per the World Health Organization - air quality guidelines, there is a need for interim targets in the future National Ambient Air Quality Standards to be proposed in India. These interim targets may be proposed for non-attainment/attainment cities based on the PM2.5 concentration levels to achieve a realistic target of recommended levels in a graded manner and thereby minimize air pollution in the specific location.