🔗 Share this article Delhi Awakens to Hazardous Smog Post Celebrations Tuesday brought citizens of this heavily contaminated metropolis encountered breathing dangerously toxic air that registered in the "severe" level. Alarming Pollution Measurements Several parts of the capital showed an pollution measurement over 500, which translates to a tenfold increase over the safe limit recommended by the WHO. Particular areas, readings of PM2.5 and PM10 hit highs of 1,800, representing fifteen to twenty times exceeding safe limits. Pyrotechnics Ban and New Developments Beginning in 2020, authorities had enforced a total prohibition on the purchase and ignition of pyrotechnics during Diwali due to their major role to the dangerous pollution that covers the capital as winter begins. However recently, the current regional administration petitioned the supreme court to request a relaxation of the ban. Officials advocated for allowing "green crackers" – which have been doubted by environmental experts as being only about 30% reduced emissions – as a middle ground between "tradition and public health". Court Decision and Enforcement Despite concerns of environmental and health activists, judges complied with the proposal, specifying that green firecrackers could be ignited during specific hours throughout the celebrations. Throughout the festival evening, there was widespread flouting of the designated hours across the metropolis, with little monitoring regarding whether the pyrotechnics being used were actually the eco-friendly version. Several monitoring devices throughout Delhi recorded air quality reaching highest levels around midnight to some of the worst levels observed during Diwali in at least three years. Regional Implications Extensive ignition of pyrotechnics during the festival also sparked a dispute with neighbouring Pakistan, with representatives in Pakistani Punjab province partially attributing declining atmospheric conditions in Lahore on pollutants traveling from India following the events. Persistent Environmental Crisis Extremely elevated levels of atmospheric toxins in the city have remained as a serious issue for over a decade and a half, with the condition gradually deteriorating. During celebratory seasons, the concentration of dangerous particulate matter in the atmosphere has been found to increase dramatically to seventy percent above the most severe readings ever measured in the Chinese city, which was previously regarded as the world's most polluted urban center. Various Pollution Factors The problem in Delhi is caused by a combination of various sources including transportation pollution, airborne particles, development work, rubbish burning and smoke from agricultural fires in nearby states of neighboring agricultural zones. Throughout these areas, rural residents illegally burn crop residue to prepare for next season, producing dangerous smog that becomes contained over the capital as winter air sets in. Public Health and Economic Impact Public health and economic consequences on the nearly 33 million residents living in the capital region is significant, according to various research. The contaminated air results in elevated rates of neurological, heart and circulatory and breathing conditions, and can even lead to oncological diseases. Environmental contamination is projected to be accounting for ten thousand untimely fatalities each year in the capital.