Diwali celebrations are contributing significantly to Delhi’s severe air pollution crisis, with firecrackers adding to the toxic pollutants already choking the region during winter months. The Supreme Court has permitted conditional use of certified green crackers, but enforcement remains a challenge.
Green crackers are designed to reduce certain emissions, but they are not pollution-free. When used in large numbers, their cumulative emissions remain substantial and contribute to the overall hazardous air quality. This adds to existing pollution sources like vehicles, industries, construction dust, and waste burning.
The severe air quality, fluctuating between “very poor” and “severe” categories, necessitates health advisories such as avoiding outdoor exposure and keeping windows closed. This impacts children’s lungs, elderly individuals, and those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, leading to disrupted daily life and education.
Source: Down To Earth