It’s All Happening, And Diwali Is Still A Fortnight Away With celebration finally over, it’s now time for Delhiites to deal with the after-effects of the festival season. The smoke emitted from burnt firecrackers has left Delhiites coughing as the pollution level once again has touched a high.
The air quality is known to suffer every time the festive season draws close. According to the Central pollution Control Board (CPCB), the concentration of air pollutants- sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide – has in creased massively in the past few days. While the concentration of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide recorded was 7 ug/m3 on October 5, it recorded a startling 10 ug/m3 and 101 ug/m3 by October 12. This means a considerable in-crease in air pollution.
Said a senior official: “ The maximum fire crackers were burst on October 9 and 10 because of Lanka Dahan. The increase is air pollution is not an unusual phenomenon as every year during Dussehra the air pollution increases manifold due to this. As a result public, health is known to suffer”.
Other air pollutants also recorded an increase. The Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) also saw a record jump. RSPM increased from 213 ug.m3 on October 5 to 310 ug/m3 on October 12. How ever, air pollutant Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), surprisingly, recorded a downfall. It went from 524 ug/m3 on October 5 which was the maximum recorded to 451 ug/m3 on October 12. RSPM recorded the highest concentration on October 11 with 315 ug/m3.
The city will see a number of firecrackers again during Diwali season in the first week of November. This time again. The concentration of air pollution is expected to go air pollution is expected to go up when firecrackers are burnt. But for festive crazy Delhiites, the realization comes only after the celebrations are over.
