Fireworks during Diwali have increased the pollution to alarming levels in various parts of the country.
According to the National Air Quality Index provided by the Central Pollution Control Board, post-Diwali Particulate Matter (PM) in the air is five to six times higher than the permissible limit in at least 13 major cities.
While the air quality was rated as “severe” in lucknow and Muzaffarpur, it was very poor in Agra, Kanpur, Pune, Patna and Faridabad. Hyderabad and Chandrapur in Maharashtra recorded poor air quality.
The major pollutant PM 2.5 was found to be between 200 and 500 micrograms/ per cubic metre of air in cities like Muzaffarpur, lucknow, Faridabad, Kanpur and Agra. As per the WHO recommendations, a maximum of 50 micrograms per cubic metre is the permissible limit.
Toxic fumes from crackers largely including Sulphur Dioxide, besides Nitrogen Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide were also found to have increased by 5 to 7 times than the safe standards. The levels of sulphur dioxide, released after fireworks, can lead to a spike in asthma, bronchitis and bronchiolitis. These toxic fumes also leave behind hazardous chemicals in environment that can remain trapped for days, said the experts.
According to experts, while severe air quality can affect healthy people and seriously impact others, air rated as very poor can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. However, small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest threat as they can get deep into the lungs, and some may even get into the human bloodstream. Hence, exposure to such particles can affect both the lungs and heart.
“The colourful sparklers especially given to children, are also known to emit heavy metals that are used to provide the characteristic colour. It is also impossible to distinguish the high sulphur crackers since there is no labeling on the materials used and their pollution potential. But people should check the decibel levels on crackers they buy,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, head of Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) clean air campaign.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar besides other eminent citizens had urged for a noiseless and clean Diwali to make people aware of the repercussions of fireworks.