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Air in Delhi is likely to turn toxic tonight

Despite the Supreme Court ban on crackers sale, these were sold over e-commerce sites as well as small shops

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A foggy afternoon in New Delhi
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On Diwali night and later, air quality in Delhi is likely to turn into "severe" and may even enter the "emergency" zone as crackers will be burst in some parts of the city, and stubble burning continues in neighbouring states, said scientists working with the government and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

On Wednesday, air quality in the national capital clocked "very poor" at the government's monitoring stations. Such air can cause even healthy adults to experience respiratory illnesses in case of long exposure. The low wind speed is another problem because it causes pollutants to remain hung in the air.

PM 2.5, particulate matter, less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which can be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs and blood cells, is the main killer. Its levels, in micrograms per cubic meters, were alarmingly high on Wednesday: Anand Vihar ISBT (244.85), Delhi Technological University (DTU) (218) , Shadipur (214), NSIT Dwarka (185), Punjabi Bagh (163), Mandir Marg (175) and ITO (116). As per Indian standards, PM 2.5 levels must not be above 60.

The Supreme Court's ban is only the sale of fireworks. Also, despite the court ban, crackers were up for sale on many e-commerce sites as well as in many parts of the city. The Delhi police seized 170 kg of crackers from east Delhi's Shahdara on Wednesday.

Small-time traders and shopkeepers were seen clearing their old stocks of crackers by selling them on high rates.

A Grade Response Action Plan (GRAP) came into force on Tuesday to prevent a repeat of last year's pollution crisis in Delhi — worst in two decades. The government banned diesel generator (DG) sets and shut down the Badarpur thermal power plant.

However, experts warned, with low horizontal wind speed and moisture in the air, the air quality will worsen when firecrackers are burst.

"The air is already in the 'very poor' category in which activities such as firecracker bursting can spike pollution levels fourfold. The city is already experiencing calm wind conditions. There is increased moisture in the air, which will trap more pollutants. Besides, the low wind speed will not allow pollutants to get dispersed in the air," said Vivek Chattopadhyaya, senior scientist and project manager of Clean Air Campaign, CSE.

Last year, the Indian Medical Association called Delhi's crisis a pollution epidemic. People queued to buy face masks. The Aam Aadmi Party government was forced to temporarily shut schools, halt construction projects and promise giant air purifiers and even artificial rain.

PREVENTION

  • Despite the Supreme Court ban on crackers sale, these were sold over e-commerce sites as well as small shops.
     
  • A Grade Response Action Plan started to act to prevent last year’s repetition.
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