The air quality is poor in New Delhi – especially after tens of thousands set off fireworks on Thursday night to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali. There are also other reasons.
New Delhi – After the Hindu festival of lights Diwali, people in the Indian capital New Delhi woke up in the gray and stinking smog.
The concentration of tiny PM2.5 particles in the air in parts of Delhi was 999 on Friday – the highest value that can be displayed by the Indian government’s air measurement devices. Accordingly, measured values up to 100 are satisfactory. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a much stricter definition of healthy air. Tiny fine dust particles can penetrate deep into the airways and damage the lungs.
The air quality in the Indian mega-metropolis is among the worst in the world, especially in winter. It is particularly bad during the Diwali Festival of Lights. Because many people celebrate the festival with fireworks – even if this is now forbidden. In addition, farmers in the surrounding states burn crop residues in order to be able to grow them again quickly and inexpensively. Another problem is the exhaust fumes from many cars, industry, dust from construction sites and waste incineration.
Most people in the capital do not see air pollution as a major problem. Politicians try every now and then with half-hearted solutions. If the air is particularly toxic at the moment, emergency measures are taken to stop construction work, close schools and restrict traffic. Some rich people buy air purifiers that clean the air in their homes. dpa
