The presence of particulate matter (PM), inhalable particles, in both diameter - PM2.5 and PM10 - and cancer causing heavy metals such as nickel and cadmium in the Capital's air has been found to be exceeding the permissible limits at peak traffic hours. The concentration of PM2.5, in fact, has been found to be exceeding the limits (60μg/m3) prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board in all areas.
Vehicular emission is the main cause of pollution, followed by industries and thermal power plants. Over 1,400 vehicles are added to Delhi roads every day.
The met department has said that high pollution levels have led to an increase in smog and cold in the past few winters.
A study by the Harvard International Review had said that every two in five persons in Delhi suffer from respiratory ailments. The Lancet's Global Health Burden 2013 report termed air pollution the sixth biggest human killer in India.
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