India's capital Delhi woke up to a toxic haze as air quality worsened after the Hindu festival of Diwali, despite a court directive to use less-polluting crackers. People in the city and its suburbs burst crackers late into Monday night, defying the court's order to use only 'green' fireworks for a limited period of time.
Delhi, which has high pollution through the year due to factors including vehicular emissions and dust, had already seen air quality dipping over the past few days. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was reported at 360, indicating a hazardous level of PM 2.5, fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and lead to serious health issues.
Levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate, while those between 201 and 300 are labeled 'poor'. An AQI over 300 is categorized as 'very poor', and a figure above 400 is termed 'severe'. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to PM 2.5 should be limited to 15 micrograms per cubic meter, but in some parts of Delhi, levels were observed to be 24 times higher than this recommendation.
The city's pollution problem intensifies during winter as farmers in surrounding states burn crop stubble. Low wind speeds trap pollutants, further exacerbating the issue. Firecrackers had been banned during Diwali since 2020; however, many were still readily available in shops, and the restrictions were not strictly enforced on the ground. Last week, India's Supreme Court relaxed the blanket ban, permitting the use of so-called green crackers, claimed to emit 20-30% less pollution than traditional ones. Critics assert that this does not negate the release of toxic substances.
As the festival wore on, many residents reported a return of the familiar acrid smell and poor visibility typically associated with winter smog. The authorities have now invoked stricter pollution control measures in response to the deteriorating air quality, yet many citizens remain disheartened. You can't even think of stepping outside, said Paras Tyagi, a local resident. The current situation underscores the ongoing challenges in effectively managing air pollution in Delhi.
Delhi, which has high pollution through the year due to factors including vehicular emissions and dust, had already seen air quality dipping over the past few days. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was reported at 360, indicating a hazardous level of PM 2.5, fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and lead to serious health issues.
Levels between 101 and 200 are considered moderate, while those between 201 and 300 are labeled 'poor'. An AQI over 300 is categorized as 'very poor', and a figure above 400 is termed 'severe'. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to PM 2.5 should be limited to 15 micrograms per cubic meter, but in some parts of Delhi, levels were observed to be 24 times higher than this recommendation.
The city's pollution problem intensifies during winter as farmers in surrounding states burn crop stubble. Low wind speeds trap pollutants, further exacerbating the issue. Firecrackers had been banned during Diwali since 2020; however, many were still readily available in shops, and the restrictions were not strictly enforced on the ground. Last week, India's Supreme Court relaxed the blanket ban, permitting the use of so-called green crackers, claimed to emit 20-30% less pollution than traditional ones. Critics assert that this does not negate the release of toxic substances.
As the festival wore on, many residents reported a return of the familiar acrid smell and poor visibility typically associated with winter smog. The authorities have now invoked stricter pollution control measures in response to the deteriorating air quality, yet many citizens remain disheartened. You can't even think of stepping outside, said Paras Tyagi, a local resident. The current situation underscores the ongoing challenges in effectively managing air pollution in Delhi.
