Abstract: The study of correlation between TSP and PM₁₀ index data records was carried out with typical cities of Changji，Turpan and Kashgar in the northern，eastern and southern Xinjiang，northwestern China，respectively in 2011 and from 2005 to 2008. Results show that these two indexes significantly influence the ambient air quality grades of dryland cities in Xinjiang. In the periods of dust storms in spring and heating period of time in winter，the ambient air quality grades resulted from the TSP standards were apparently changed comparing with that resulted from the PM₁₀ standards. The air quality was substantially gotten better when applying PM₁₀ index instead of TSP index. As a result，the annual average pollution days resulted from PM10 standards in 2011 were decreased over 50-60 d which can not reflect the real status of local air quality comparing with TSP standards in dryland cities of Xinjiang. Moreover，the air quality resulted from the TSP standards could truthfully indicate the local particulate pollution situation. Finally，the paper suggests policy- makers tighten the daily average standards of PM10 when revising the new ambient air quality standards in order to make the assessment of air quality in accordance with the results from TSP and PM₁₀ indexes in China.

Key words: TSP, PM₁₀, air quality, influence, atmosphere environment, monitoring indexes