Air quality in New Delhi called 'very poor'

Following news that China's capital, Beijing, is suffering from the worst ever recorded smog, New Delhi, the capital of the Republic of India has also been experiencing poor air quality.

Indeed, a government scientist revealed that the amount of pollution in the air in New Delhi is ten times higher than World Health Organisation safety levels recommend over a 24-hour period.

However, the government scientist was keen to say that it was not comparable to China's epidemic, although he has described the situation as "very poor".

In New Delhi levels of a tiny particulate known as PM 2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs, reached 250 micrograms per cubic meter in specific neighbourhoods last week.

Although the levels have been worryingly high, Beijing had double those levels, with PM 2.5 levels hitting around 500.

Gurfan Baig of the state-run Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said that although the problem is not as hazardous as China, it is still dangerous.

"The air quality in the Indian capital is fluctuating between poor and very poor, and in the Chinese capital between very poor and critical," Mr Baig told The Associated Press.

Fine particles come from combustion made by motor vehicles, power plants, wood fires and some industrial processes.

It is thought that high levels of cars using cheap diesel has contributed to the problem.

"People also face health problems ... stress and strain," said Prem Shankar Pandey, an insurance agent. "They should use their vehicles only when absolutely necessary. Using a two wheeler vehicle or the metro is a better option."

It is not just what kind of car you drive that is detrimental to the environment, the Department for Transport claims however.

Indeed other factors, such as driving style, driving conditions and ambient temperature also affect emission of pollutants.