Diwali Fireworks Worsen Air Quality in Delhi

Diwali Fireworks Worsen Air Quality in Delhi

After the Diwali celebrations, air quality in India’s capital Delhi sharply deteriorated. On October 21, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 1,000. Fireworks, seasonal smog, and cool weather have created a toxic haze, significantly reducing visibility.
According to IQAir, pollution levels in some areas reached 1,300, with PM2.5 concentrations hitting 1,800 micrograms per cubic meter — 120 times higher than the WHO safety limit.

Out of 38 air monitoring stations in Delhi, 36 are in the “red zone.” This level of pollution is dangerous even for healthy people, causing coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath. Experts note that due to air pollution, Delhi residents lose an average of 12 years of life expectancy.