Ban On Crackers This Diwali Went Up In Smoke

PICTURE COURTESY : TV9 MARATHI

Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) has been a cause of concern for a very long time. Especially since its land locked and without the help of a strong wind most of the pollutants remain in ambient air for quite some time. A “No Cracker Campaign ” has been going on for a long time and there has been a ban on crackers in the national capital for this year during Diwali just like past years . But the ban went up in smoke. Various parts of the city saw violations. Not only Delhi, air pollution in major Indian cities has significantly increased following Diwali celebrations this year.

Source: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB’s) AQI data

Even though The State Of Global Air (SoGA 2024) report shows that Air pollution continues to be the leading risk factor for deaths in South Asia. In 2021, air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally, including more than 700,000 children under five years old. This now makes air pollution the #2 risk factor for death globally, putting it ahead of tobacco and poor diet. More than 90 per cent of these global air pollution deaths – 7.8 million people – are attributed to PM2.5 air pollution, including from ambient PM2.5 and household air pollution. These tiny particles, measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, are so small they remain in the lungs and can enter the bloodstream, affecting many organ systems and increasing the risks for noncommunicable diseases in adults like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the report, PM2.5 has been found to be the most consistent and accurate predictor of poor health outcomes around the world.

Despite a blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, Diwali night in the region saw no dearth of fireworks. Without any concern to air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi was around 351 on Friday afternoon (November 1), the day after Diwali. It continued to deteriorate as it crossed the 400 mark on Sunday, two days after Diwali. The AQI for Anand Vihar was 386 at 11 pm on the night of October 31 — much higher than last year’s 302 on Diwali night. The AQI on 2022’s Diwali night was 374 and 440 in 2021. The day after Diwali usually sees a surge in AQI levels. At 5 am on November 1, the AQI was 394 compared to 289 in 2023 at the Anand Vihar monitoring station.

The air pollution level now lies in the ‘hazardous’ category. On Saturday, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 327 in most areas. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s National Air Quality Index also reveals how air pollution is higher this year around Diwali days compared to the previous two years.

An AQI, which is a report of the quality of air in a region, is considered ‘poor’ between 200-300, ‘very poor’ at 301 and 400, severe at 401 and 450 and above 450 is “severe-plus” and can cause damaging health concerns.

Delhi AQI levels are the highest around midnight and early hours on November 1. NCR recorded similar AQI trends, albeit with variability across regions. Locations like Vaishali and Ghaziabad reached levels in comparison to Delhi. The air quality levels in Delhi reached alarming heights during Diwali Peak hours. 31st October 2024, Diwali day recorded 167 at 8:00 Pm the last lowest after this, Air Quality levels just kept rising. Firecrackers started bursting around and Air quality levels peaked. The decline in air quality levels is also the reason for wind speed in Delhi NCR. By Midday on November 1, AQI levels showed a consistent downward trend in every location. This year, the festivities have taken a higher toll on almost all regions in Delhi. Amongst the 56 AQI monitoring stations in the national capital, only one recorded “moderate” levels of pollution.

The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy