Diwali firecrackers push up pollution level

National Air Quality Index rates air quality in Lucknow as 'severe'

Firecracker bursting during Diwali has increased the pollution level in various parts of the country, with toxic fumes from fireworks raising the particulate matter content in the air to five-six times higher than the permissible limit.

According to the National Air Quality Index provided by the Central Pollution Control Board in ten cities, the prominent pollutant PM 2.5 was hovering between 200 and 500 in cities like Muzaffarpur, Lucknow, Faridabad, Kanpur and Agra. The air quality was rated as ‘severe’ in Lucknow and Muzaffarpur and ‘very poor’ in Agra, Kanpur, Pune, Patna and Faridabad. Hyderabad and Chandrapur in Maharashtra recorded ‘poor’ air quality.

Air quality in Delhi also plunged to ‘severe’ level following the Diwali celebration, with pollutants rising a whopping 20 times in certain areas owing to incessant fireworks and bursting of firecrackers, notwithstanding appeals by authorities.

Firecracker bursting during Diwali has increased the pollution level in various parts of the country, with toxic fumes from fireworks raising the particulate matter content in the air to five-six times higher than the permissible limit.

According to the National Air Quality Index provided by the Central Pollution Control Board in ten cities, the prominent pollutant PM 2.5 was hovering between 200 and 500 in cities like Muzaffarpur, Lucknow, Faridabad, Kanpur and Agra. The air quality was rated as ‘severe’ in Lucknow and Muzaffarpur and ‘very poor’ in Agra, Kanpur, Pune, Patna and Faridabad. Hyderabad and Chandrapur in Maharashtra recorded ‘poor’ air quality.

Air quality in Delhi also plunged to ‘severe’ level following the Diwali celebration, with pollutants rising a whopping 20 times in certain areas owing to incessant fireworks and bursting of firecrackers, notwithstanding appeals by authorities.