The safe limits of these harmful micro particles, that can enter the respiratory system and subsequently the blood stream, are 60 and 100 respectively. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in its analysis, observed that yesterday's pollution levels had severely violated the prescribed limits. The 24-hourly averaged concentrations at four locations, Mandir Marg, R K Puram, Punjabi Bagh and Anand Vihar, were found to be 5, 5.4, and 1.1 times higher than the safe standards respectively, TERI said.
"Analysing the trends between December 24 to January 3, PM 2.5 concentrations have increased by 72-176 per cent at the four stations. However, this is mainly due to reduced wind speeds during the period," the green body said. It said an immediate assessment of the impact of the odd-even scheme that came into force on January 1 was not possible considering the impact of sources other than emissions from cars and meteorological influences.