🔗 Share this article The megacity Awakens to Dangerous Haze After Celebrations Tuesday brought inhabitants of this heavily contaminated metropolis encountered inhaling dangerously toxic air that was classified as the "severe" range. Extremely High Pollution Readings Various sections of the city showed an AQI above 500, which translates to 10x the healthy threshold recommended by the WHO. Particular areas, levels of dangerous airborne particles reached peaks of 1800, representing 15-20x higher than safe limits. Fireworks Restrictions and New Developments Beginning in 2020, officials had implemented a comprehensive restriction on the purchase and ignition of pyrotechnics during the Festival of Lights due to their significant contribution to the deadly smog that covers the city as colder weather sets in. Nevertheless in recent months, the recently formed local leadership petitioned the supreme court to seek a modification of the prohibition. They proposed allowing "green crackers" – which have been criticized by environmental experts as being only roughly 30 percent lower impact – as a compromise between "heritage and environment". Judicial Ruling and Reality Despite concerns of environmental and health campaigners, the court approved the appeal, specifying that green firecrackers could be set off during specific hours throughout the festival. During the celebrations, there was widespread flouting of the regulated periods across the city, with little enforcement regarding whether the firecrackers being used were actually the eco-friendly variety. Several recording stations throughout Delhi showed air quality spiking around the night hours to extremely hazardous readings recorded during the festival in at least the past three years. Regional Implications The proliferation of fireworks during Diwali also triggered a blame game with adjacent the neighboring country, with representatives in Pakistan's Punjab province pointing to deteriorating atmospheric conditions in their urban centers on contaminants originating in India following the celebrations. Persistent Pollution Issue Alarmingly severe concentrations of atmospheric toxins in the capital have continued as a serious problem for fifteen-plus years, with the condition gradually deteriorating. During Diwali, the amount of hazardous particles in the environment has been observed to increase dramatically to 70% higher the peak levels ever documented in China's capital, which was previously viewed as the globally most contaminated city. Multiple Contamination Factors The situation in the capital is attributed to a mix of different contributors including automobile exhaust, construction debris, development work, waste incineration and smoke from agricultural fires in nearby states of Punjab and Haryana. Throughout these areas, agricultural workers routinely set their fields on fire to prepare for next season, creating toxic haze that then gets trapped over the city as cooler air sets in. Medical and Economic Consequences Both financial and medical toll on the nearly 33 million people residing in the capital region is substantial, according to numerous studies. This pollution results in elevated rates of nervous system, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, and can even lead to oncological diseases. Environmental contamination is projected to be responsible for 10,000 early fatalities annually in the capital.