Diwali Air Pollution

From masks and plants to Diwali and ACs, pulmonologists break down the myths standing in the way of clean air and better health

Delhi's AQI was recorded at 335 as of 9 am on Wednesday, placing it in the 'very poor' zone, according to the data by Central Pollution Control Board

The air quality index (AQI) in the city spiked, prompting many to leave the city for a short while, to resorts outside, or even to places with better AQI such as Corbett, Bhimtal, and Dehradun

As air quality plummets across cities, doctors warn of rising respiratory and heart risks. Here's how to protect yourself immediately from pollution-related cough, fatigue, and long-term health damage

While most areas in the national capital recorded AQI levels above 300, several localities, including Greater Kailash and Patel Nagar, breached the 500 mark

Health experts share simple, science-backed ways to avoid cough, wheezing, and breathlessness as pollution levels soar across Indian cities during Diwali

The Supreme Court said that Delhi residents will be allowed to burst only certified low-emission crackers between October 18 and 21, from 6 pm to 10 pm, including on Diwali and the day before

Despite claims of lower emissions and noise, green crackers continue to release harmful ultrafine particles and stress the heart and lungs, experts caution.

CJI-led bench has allowed the bursting and sale of NEERI-approved green firecrackers for five days during Diwali in Delhi-NCR, with strict time limits and enforcement measures to curb pollution

Strategies like LPG subsidies and a switch to cleaner cooking fuels could help India become a leader in meeting this challenge, says Dr Maria Neira, director of environment and health at WHO

The Supreme Court has demanded explanations from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Delhi police regarding the failure to enforce the ban

Earlier on Monday, Gopal Rai launched the 'Diya Jalao, Patake Nahi' campaign, urging the public to avoid firecrackers to keep pollution in check

Pollutants emitted by crackers may last in the air for day, troubling people with respiratory issues

Delhi air pollution falls in the 'very poor' category ahead of Diwali which is a major cause of concern. Here are the precautions to minimise air pollution during Diwali

In Dwarka Sector 8, AQI stood at 403. AQI in Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium was recorded at 404

Air pollution in Delhi neared the "severe" category again amid unfavourable meteorological conditions on Tuesday and a relief is unlikely soon. The capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm everyday, stood at 397, worsening from 358 on Monday and 218 on Sunday. Air pollution levels hit the severe category (AQI above 400) at many places within the city, including ITO (427), RK Puram (422), Punjabi Bagh (423), Nehru Nagar (450), Anand Vihar (439) and Nehru Nagar (450). Neighbouring Ghaziabad (356), Gurugram (386), Greater Noida (348), Noida (364) and Faridabad (384) also recorded very poor air quality. Squandering the relief due to rain, Delhi recorded a jump in pollution levels and a smoky haze returned on Monday after people flouted the ban on firecrackers on Diwali night. According to IQAir, a Swiss company that specialises in air quality monitoring, Delhi was the most polluted city in the world on Tuesday, followed by Dhaka Lahore and Mumbai. Delhi rec

The Delhi Fire Service received 100 calls of fire-related incidents on the evening of Diwali, officials said here. These calls were recorded between 6 pm and 10.45 pm on Sunday, Delhi Fire Service (DFS) chief Atul Garg said. "The total number of small, medium and major fire-related incident calls is 100 from 6 pm to 10.45 pm," he said, adding that his department was prepared to help. Officials said the Delhi Police was also on alert and helping fire personnel. The firecracker ban was violated in several areas of Delhi as the city celebrated Diwali. Last week, the Supreme Court said its order banning firecrackers containing barium binds every state and is not just limited to the Delhi-NCR region, which is reeling under severe air pollution. Although Delhi recorded its best air quality on Diwali day in eight years, pollution levels were expected to rise due to the burning of firecrackers and low night temperatures.

Delhi Fire Service Director Atul Garg said, "From this morning we have started spraying water. We have identified 13 hotspots, and our main focus will be on them..."

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena held a meeting with Environment Minister Gopal Rai amid severe air pollution in the city on Friday, in which a decision was taken to appeal neighbouring states, particularly Punjab, to check paddy stubble burning. The meeting also decided to adopt interim measures such as issuing advisories by the Environment department asking people, especially children and the elderly, to take extra care and remain indoors as far as possible, preparedness by the Health department and optimal use of mechanised road sweepers, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns. The meeting chaired by the LG could not be attended by the chief minister who was out of Delhi, according to a Raj Niwas statement. After the meeting, Rai told reporters that he urged the LG for issuing directions to senior officers to not "boycott" the government and attend meetings and remain cooperative and active for implementation of the decisions on the ground. "I also urged for action against the

Amid a ban on non-essential construction in Delhi-NCR due to pollution, real estate developers' body Naredco on Friday extended support to the government but flagged concerns over delay in completing projects while builders' association Credai asked members to take anti-pollution measures at sites. Naredco National President G Hari Babu said pollution concerns everyone and conscious corporate, real estate developers are actively taking measures to curb the menace. The fraternity is with the government in fighting this menace, he said. "But we should understand that stopping construction for one month delays the project by at least three months. Besides, it also impacts livelihood. Since the sector is one of the largest employers of unskilled labour in the country, the ramifications are huge," Babu said in a statement. "Further, the developers also have obligations to financial institutions and to its customers for timely delivery, which, in case of delay leads to extra monetary bur