Coimbatore Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

Tamil Nadu, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5

Coimbatore AQI Right Now

40

Category: Good

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 21.76 µg/m³

PM10: 39.76 µg/m³

Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.

Coimbatore Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.521.76 µg/m³
PM1039.76 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)32.87 µg/m³
NO₂13.97 µg/m³
SO₂3.05 µg/m³
CO488.62 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Coimbatore

Good: Minimal impact on health. Great day to be outdoors!

Health Impact — Coimbatore

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 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 0.08 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Coimbatore

  • General Population: Air quality is satisfactory. Enjoy outdoor activities.
  • Elderly: No special precautions needed.
  • Children: Great day for outdoor play.
  • Lung Disease Patients: No restrictions on outdoor activities.

Understanding Coimbatore Air Quality

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu's second-largest city and a major industrial hub known as the "Manchester of South India," enjoys relatively moderate air quality compared to north Indian cities thanks to its elevation and the natural ventilation provided by the Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats. However, its dense concentration of textile mills, foundries, and pump manufacturing units creates baseline industrial emissions.

December through March sees the worst air quality as the dry northeast monsoon reduces atmospheric moisture and rainfall. PM2.5 concentrations during this period typically range from 40–80 µg/m³ - well below northern cities but still above WHO guidelines. The Coimbatore-Tiruppur textile corridor generates mill emissions and dyeing effluent-related particulates, while the city's 600+ foundries in the Coimbatore-Pollachi area contribute metal fumes and PM10.

The Palghat Gap - a significant break in the Western Ghats - channels southwest monsoon winds through the city, providing excellent natural ventilation during June–September and maintaining generally good air quality. The dry period from February–May can see elevated dust levels in the rapidly expanding eastern suburbs. Overall, Coimbatore ranks among the cleaner Indian cities above 1 million population, aided by its climate, elevation, and relatively modern industrial base.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Industrial emissions (textile, foundry, pump manufacturing)
  • Construction dust
  • Road dust
  • Agricultural burning

Geography: Western Tamil Nadu at ~430 m elevation in the Noyyal River basin; Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats channels winds, moderate climate

Peak pollution months: December, January, February, March

Frequently Asked Questions — Coimbatore

Is Coimbatore air quality good?

Compared to north Indian cities, yes - Coimbatore's annual average PM2.5 is 30–50% lower, thanks to its elevation, the Palghat Gap ventilation, and significant monsoon rainfall. However, it still exceeds WHO guidelines year-round, and the textile-foundry industrial belt can create localised hotspots.

What causes air pollution in Coimbatore?

Coimbatore's pollution mainly comes from vehicular exhaust, textile mill emissions, foundries and pump manufacturing, construction dust from urban expansion, and seasonal agricultural burning. The Coimbatore-Tiruppur industrial corridor is the most emission-intensive zone.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities