Purnia Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today
Bihar, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5
Purnia AQI Right Now
Category: Satisfactory
Dominant Pollutant: pm25
PM2.5: 45.18 µg/m³
PM10: 70.74 µg/m³
Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.
Purnia Pollutant Levels
| Pollutant | Concentration |
|---|---|
| PM2.5 | 45.18 µg/m³ |
| PM10 | 70.74 µg/m³ |
| O₃ (Ozone) | 6.08 µg/m³ |
| NO₂ | 9.5 µg/m³ |
| SO₂ | 6.37 µg/m³ |
| CO | 1107.97 µg/m³ |
Health Advisory — Purnia
Satisfactory: Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.
Health Impact — Purnia
Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 2.1 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).
Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.23 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).
Health Recommendations for Purnia
- General Population: Acceptable air quality. Unusually sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
- Elderly: Minor breathing discomfort is possible.
- Children: Should be fine outdoors with normal activities.
- Lung Disease Patients: Consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.
Understanding Purnia Air Quality
Purnia is the largest city in northeast Bihar's Seemanchal region, a commercial hub for jute trading, mango exports (the famous Jardalu mango), and cross-regional commerce connecting Bihar to West Bengal and the northeast. The city sits on the flat alluvial plain between the Kosi and Mahananda river systems, an area historically reshaped by devastating floods. Purnia's jute processing industry — including retting, baling, and small-scale milling — creates a distinctive pollution source, as jute retting in stagnant water releases hydrogen sulphide and methane, while baling and processing units emit fibrous dust.
The October–January period is Purnia's worst for air quality. The city's flat terrain and proximity to two major river systems create intense winter fog that can persist for weeks, trapping emissions from jute processing units, domestic biomass burning (wood, dung, and jute waste used as fuel), brick kilns, and the growing fleet of commercial vehicles serving the regional trade economy. Post-harvest burning of rice and jute plant residues in October–November adds a significant smoke layer. Purnia's role as a transport hub connecting NH 31, NH 57, and the railway network means continuous diesel truck traffic year-round, with congestion worsening air quality in the city centre.
Monsoon season (June–September) brings heavy rainfall (1,400–1,600 mm) that cleans the air but frequently floods the city, particularly near the Kosi basin. The jute harvest season (July–August) overlaps with monsoon, and jute retting ponds emit foul odours even as particulate pollution decreases. Pre-monsoon heat (April–May) sees moderate dust levels. Purnia's rapid urbanisation and growing role as the commercial capital of Seemanchal are increasing emission pressures that currently outpace any environmental management efforts.
Primary Pollution Sources
- Vehicle exhaust
- Jute mill emissions
- Domestic biomass burning
- Brick kilns
- Agricultural burning
Geography: Major city in northeast Bihar; jute and mango trade hub, Kosi and Mahananda river basins, gateway to the Seemanchal region, flat alluvial terrain
Peak pollution months: October, November, December, January
Frequently Asked Questions — Purnia
How does the jute industry affect Purnia's air quality?
Purnia's jute processing industry contributes to air quality through multiple pathways: fibrous dust from baling and milling operations, hydrogen sulphide and methane emissions from jute retting ponds, and smoke from burning jute waste as fuel. During the jute retting season (monsoon), waterlogged retting areas create localised odour issues. In winter, jute processing dust compounds with other particulate sources under inversion conditions.
Why is Purnia so foggy in winter?
Purnia's position on the flat alluvial plain between the Kosi and Mahananda river systems creates extremely high atmospheric moisture. In winter, radiative cooling on clear nights condenses this moisture into dense fog that can persist for days or weeks. The flat terrain offers no elevation changes to generate wind or break the fog layer. This fog traps all surface-level pollutants, making PM2.5 readings spike dramatically from November through January.
Air Quality in Nearby Cities
- Katihar AQI — Bihar
- Araria AQI — Bihar
- Kishanganj AQI — Bihar
- Madhepura AQI — Bihar
- Bhagalpur AQI — Bihar
- Saharsa AQI — Bihar