The above-mentioned cities with AQI reading above 400 fall in 'severe' category while Delhi's AQI stood at 350 in 'very poor' range. Other cities that recorded worst pollution levels and high AQI are Khurja at 341, Muzaffarnagar at 321, Charkhi Dadri at 317 and Manesar at 304.

Among the two air quality monitoring stations in Greater Noida, Knowledge Park 5 recorded the worst air quality with AQI of 457. Moving to 39 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi, we find that Bawana registered the worst AQI of 431 falling in 'severe range', followed by Jahangirpuri (422), Wazirpur (417) and Vivek Vihar (406).

A report by Policybazaar indicated that children are the most affected by pollution. A total of 43% of all pollution-linked health insurance claims were reported from the 0-10 age group. The statistics suggest that children are five times more affected than any other age group.

Highlighting the severe and disproportionate impact of air pollution on children, the report said,“The most alarming insight is the disproportionate impact on children, 43 per cent of all pollution-linked claims were filed for children under ten - making them five times more affected than any other age group.”

Notably, adults aged 31-40 years account for 14 per cent of such claims, indicating that younger and more outdoor-active populations are the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, those over 60 years make up only 7% of all pollution-linked health insurance claims.

Cardiac cases and respiratory issues are significantly on the rise as pollution illnesses now form 8% of all hospitalisation claims.

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