Q14.Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards ?

The WHO's 2021 Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) tightened pollutant limits based on new health evidence, challenging India's air quality management.

The 2021 AQGs drastically reduced recommended limits for key pollutants, emphasizing no safe exposure level for particulate matter. PM2.5 annual guideline halved from 10 µg/m³ (2005) to 5 µg/m³, and 24-hour from 25 µg/m³ to 15 µg/m³. PM10 annual limits reduced from 20 µg/m³ to 15 µg/m³, and 24-hour from 50 µg/m³ to 45 µg/m³. Other pollutants like O3, NO2, SO2, CO also saw stricter guidelines.

• Revise NCAP targets for alignment with stricter WHO 2021 standards.
• Enhance monitoring, robust source apportionment studies.
• Implement regional air quality management, stricter emission standards.
• Strengthen inter-sectoral coordination.

Meeting these stringent global benchmarks is vital for India's public health and sustainable environmental goals.