Data reveals that last year the ruling hardly helped in reducing air pollution in capital during Diwali
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered regulated use of firecrackers in the country and even banned those containing heavy metals, however, banning or curbing their use in the past has had limited positive impacts on Delhi's air-quality, past data shows. Air-quality data before and during Diwali days in 2017 showed a clear spike in pollutants on October 19 and October 20, the main Diwali days. The air-quality during Diwali last year though, was better than 2016 and 2015.
Before Diwali, the concentration of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), particles that are smaller than 2.5mm in diameter, was 136 microgram/cubic metre (ug/m3). Two days later during Diwali, October 20, it spiked to 407 ug/m3.
The air quality index (AQI) of Delhi during Diwali in 2017 was in the very poor category at 326 while in 2016 and 2015 it was 426 which was in severe category and 327, very poor, respectively. Government's research agency SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) carried out an analysis during last year's Diwali and noted that wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity as well as pollutants from local sources were equally important factors in determining the quality of air during Diwali.
For instance, in 2017, surface wind dropped on Diwali day. But, SAFAR also stated that high smoke or smog conditions may also force local winds to slow down and hence it was a reciprocal process as wind speed came back to normal a day later.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said they were yet to review the Supreme Court order but pointed out that past monitoring has shown a definite spike in pollutants and presence of heavy metals during Diwali. "Any such order requires significant public support and fewer firecrackers are definitely welcome," said Prashant Gargava, member secretary, CPCB.
TROUBLE TO ANIMAL
- The Supreme Court on Tuesday restrained e-commerce players, including Flipkart and Amazon, from selling firecrackers online across the country.
- The top court also dealt with the issue of impact of bursting of firecrackers on animals.
- It results in severe noise pollution which has acute psychological, mental and even physical affect on animals, the court said.
- It said that deafening sound from the crackers were known to disorient birds nest.
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