Air quality in India among world’s worst post Diwali

The 5-day long Diwali festival this year left people with something to remember- a nation full of smoke and streets full of garbage. Celebrations with lamps, candles, feasting and fireworks left the country choked with a thick, dark smog post the festival.

According to the BBC report, by Monday the PM 2.5 levels had exceeded 30 times the World Health Organization’s recommendation for average daily exposure. In other words, India’s air quality was among the world’s worst, according to global air pollution data. Parts of north India- especially Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar recorded PM 2.5 levels of over 500 µg/m³, exhibiting ‘hazardous’ pollution values, according to the database run by Berkeley Earth, an independent US research organisation.

PM 2.5 are fine particulate matter which is 30 times finer than a human hair. These particles when inhaled deeply, can cause heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer and respiratory diseases. Their measurement is considered to be the best indicator of the level of health risks from air pollution according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

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The spike in pollution posed real threats to the health of the young, kids, elderly and those with health problems. A latest report from UNICEF showed that nearly 2 billion children live in areas with elevated air pollution and some 300 million kids are exposed to air pollution levels that are toxic and six times higher than WHO standards.

Experts say that there could be several reasons for the increased rate of pollution during Diwali. Weather plays a very important role here. During winter, cooler temperatures and slower winds prevent the smoke from being blown away. Central Pollution Control Board of India said that the wind speeds were lower this Diwali as compared to the last year.

The worst among the cities is New Delhi’s air pollution with average PM 2.5 levels being 38% higher than the last year’s. On the morning of November 1, 2016, Delhi woke up to an average PM 2.5 level of over 700 µg/m³- the highest level recorded which was 29 times above WHO standards. To add to it, the condition gets worse every year because of the season’s weak winds and countless garbage fires to help people stay warm. Agricultural fires, too, are a major contributor to the city’s air pollution.

Other than the country’s capital, Patna recorded an average PM 2.5 level of 437.3 µg/m³, nearly 95% higher than last year. In Varanasi, the level soared up to an average of 578.6 µg/m³ and Agra too, recorded double the values recorded last year

The increase in the pollution has alarmed the country and people are being made aware of the hazardous air qualities they are breathing in. The capital city has already banned the use of crackers, with other cities taking cues from it.

Let’s hope by next year, we see a controlled pollution rate and a cleaner city!

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