Fri Nov 01 13:12:01 UTC 2024: ## Delhi’s Air Quality Plunges to “Very Poor” After Diwali Despite Firecracker Ban

**New Delhi, November 2, 2023:** New Delhi’s air quality plummeted to “Very Poor” on Friday afternoon, the day after Diwali, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 351. This marks a significant deterioration from the previous year’s Diwali AQI of 218, despite a ban on firecrackers in the national capital.

The spike in pollution is attributed to a combination of factors, including the onset of winter, stagnant air, road dust, vehicular pollution, and stubble burning in neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana. These factors contribute to a yearly dip in air quality around this time.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average AQI on Diwali itself was 321, exceeding the readings of the past two years. The AQI on Diwali day has only been lower in the last decade during 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023.

The AQI, a numerical indicator of air quality, ranges from 0-500, with higher numbers denoting worse air quality. The six categories are: ‘Good’, ‘Satisfactory’, ‘Moderately polluted’, ‘Poor’, ‘Very Poor’, and ‘Severe’.

The color-coded AQI index, launched in 2014, helps the public and government understand pollution levels and implement necessary mitigation measures.

The most harmful pollutants include particulate matter (PM) 2.5, microscopic particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers that can bypass the respiratory system and enter the bloodstream. These particles contribute to respiratory illnesses, reduced visibility, and chronic diseases like asthma and heart attacks.

To address the worsening air quality, the Delhi government implements the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of emergency measures that include restrictions on coal and firewood use, diesel generators, and increased parking fees.

With air quality continuing to be a significant concern, authorities are working to implement stricter measures and encourage public participation in efforts to improve air quality in the national capital.

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