New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Friday welcomed the release of the national Air Quality Index (AQI) by Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar here.

“CSE has been demanding adoption of this programme as this can help people to understand the quality of air and the possible health effects. This is needed to demystify complex air quality data, help promote public awareness and build public pressure for effective air pollution control in cities,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, head of CSE’s air pollution team.

The AQI was recommended by IIT Kanpur and an expert group comprising medical professionals, air quality experts, academia, and advocacy groups.