Delhi carbon monoxide levels rise steadily in first five months of 2026, data shows

Carbon monoxide concentrations in Delhi have been climbing gradually from January to May 2026, according to data from Envirocatalysts. Monthly averages hit multi-year highs, with January reaching 2.5 mg/NM3, the highest for that month in five years. The January to May average of 1.89 mg/NM3 is the highest since 2022, and levels exceeded India's permissible limit of 2 mg/NM3 on multiple days. The rise is linked to vehicle emissions and local combustion of materials, as noted by analysts. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that reduces oxygen delivery to vital organs, posing serious health risks especially for children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Experts are calling for a shift to cleaner electric public transport to curb both pollution and congestion. This trend underscores the ongoing challenge of urban air quality management in India's capital. While winter pollution often grabs headlines, the data shows that CO levels are a year-round concern tied directly to combustion sources that could be addressed through stronger emissions policy and cleaner transport infrastructure.