Search Here

The indian festival of Diwali is celebrated with pomp and bursting of firecrackers. This age old ritual amplifies the already high air pollution levels to critical on this one day and several days after until the smoke dissipates. On Thursday, a day after the Hindu festival, Diwali, was reported over eight times more than what India calls an acceptable level and over 20 times higher than the World Health organization standard. This pollution happens in India every year and more so in the capital region which is already counted as one of the most populated cities of the world. The celebration carries on until the wee hours when the businesses shut down and the people come out on the streets to burst crackers and skyrockets, reports US News.

Many people have been advised by the government health advisory board to stay indoors as it can be a potential health hazard due to increased pollution levels. Many people reported breathing problems as the fireworks continue to explode. The Indian capital city has already been seized by public alarm over poor quality breathing air. A recent study revealed that almost half of Indian population of 1.25 Billion lose at least three years of their life to air pollution. New Delhi is the only Indian city that monitors the air quality and the health experts said that on Thrursday, the levels were alarming, as reported by SF Gate.

President of Public Health Foundation of India, K. Srinath Reddy said, "The intensity was no less, and the pollution level appeared to be quite high". He also added that even if the Delhi residents are aware about the rising pollution, they would still want to flaunt to their neighbors with their innovative fireworks. Due to unregulated sale of the fireworks in India, there is no proper mechanism to measure the accurate number of units sold before Diwali, as reported by US News.