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Delhi Air Hits 58x WHO Limit Post-Diwali
9 Nov
Summary
- PM 2.5 levels reached 879 micrograms per cubic meter in New Delhi.
- This level is nearly 59 times the WHO's recommended daily maximum.
- Diwali fireworks significantly worsened winter smog in the capital.
New Delhi experienced dangerously toxic air following Diwali, with PM 2.5 microparticle levels hitting 879 micrograms per cubic meter in Mandir Marg. This alarming concentration was nearly 59 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum, occurring hours after the Diwali fireworks celebrations concluded.
The festival of lights, celebrated annually by millions, saw widespread use of fireworks, which worsened the existing winter smog. This pollution is fueled by a combination of vehicle emissions, agricultural fires, and industrial activity in India's capital.
Authorities have recently introduced measures to curb the smog, including restrictions on traffic and construction. Vehicle emissions contribute significantly to Delhi's winter pollution, followed by biomass burning and industry. Secondary particles, formed from reactions in the atmosphere, also play a major role. A 2024 study highlighted the severe health impact, linking millions of deaths in India to air pollution between 2009 and 2019.
