Significant 20-years-low air pollution in Indo-Gangetic Plain amid lockdown

According to satellite data published by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Air pollution over northern India has plummeted to a 20-year-low for this time of the year.

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The report highlighted that the sensors observed aerosol levels low after the imposition of a nationwide lockdown in India.

As per the analysis, an optical depth or thickness of less than 0.1 over the entire atmospheric vertical column shows a “clean” condition. If aerosols are concentrated near the surface, an optical depth of 1 or above indicates very “hazy” conditions.

The report tracked the aerosol optical depth (AOD). AOD shows how light is absorbed or reflected by airborne particles as it travels through the atmosphere.

Note: Aerosols are very tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. It reduces visibility and can damage the human lungs and heart.