Diwali provokes ‘hazardous’ alert over New Delhi air quality
Summary
Fireworks during the Diwali festival have worsened air quality in New Delhi, making it the most polluted major city in the world. The air quality index (AQI) reached hazardous levels, prompting health concerns as tiny particles in the air greatly exceeded safe limits.Key Facts
- Diwali celebrations in New Delhi involved widespread use of fireworks.
- The city's air quality index hit a hazardous level of 442 on Tuesday.
- Tiny airborne particles called PM2.5 are over 59 times higher than the World Health Organization's safe guidelines.
- India’s Central Pollution Control Board rated the air as "very poor" with an AQI of 350.
- Despite a legal ban, many fireworks were used outside of allowed seasonal hours.
- New Delhi and neighboring areas suffer from poor air in winter due to trapped pollution.
- Other South Asian cities, like Lahore in Pakistan, also struggle with high pollution levels.
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