Sanitation: Delhi ranks average in the sani- tation category. This reflects below average results for the share of population with access to sanitation at an estimated 54%.
Air quality: Delhi is marked down for having the highest daily level of suspended particulate matter of the 22 cities, at 384 micrograms per cubic metre. Explosive population growth has increased the number of vehicles, and the need for energy to run homes and businesses. Although Delhi’s air quality is still relatively poor, it has improved in recent years. One of the reasons is that pollution-control initiatives have the back- ing of the government, society and industry. The prospect of hosting the Commonwealth Games in October 2010 also focused the minds of city officials to try and improve air quality, as set down in the eco code for the Games.