Delhi Records Worst Post-Dussehra Air Quality In Five Years
· India · India Today, Economic Times
Delhi's Air Quality Index deteriorated into the poor category following Dussehra celebrations, reaching an average of 245 on October 21. Fine particle concentrations spiked sharply, with PM2.5 levels exceeding 300 in areas such as Punjabi Bagh during peak festival hours. Research attributes up to 95 percent of elemental PM2.5 mass on festival nights directly to firecracker emissions rather than stubble burning. Experts note that chemical pollutants from black powder and metallic colorants linger in the atmosphere for days depending on weather conditions. This year's post-Dussehra pollution spike marks the worst recorded air quality in the national capital over a five-year period.
Why it matters
Residents across Delhi face severe respiratory health hazards as toxic winter smog sets in earlier than usual due to festival emissions.
Read the original report — India Today
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