🔗 Share this article The megacity Awakens to Dangerous Haze Following Celebrations On Tuesday morning residents of the planet's dirtiest urban center were faced with inhaling extremely polluted air that was classified as the "severe" level. Record-Breaking Air Quality Levels Several parts of the capital showed an AQI above 500, which equals a tenfold increase over the recommended threshold set by the global health authority. In some locations, levels of dangerous airborne particles hit highs of 1,800, equating to 15 to 20 times higher than healthy levels. Pyrotechnics Restrictions and Recent Changes For the past four years, officials had maintained a total prohibition on the distribution and bursting of pyrotechnics during the Festival of Lights due to their substantial impact to the hazardous haze that covers the metropolis as the cold season approaches. However in recent months, the newly elected local administration appealed to the supreme court to request a easing of the ban. They proposed allowing "environmentally conscious pyrotechnics" – historically questioned by conservation groups as being only roughly 30 percent lower impact – as a middle ground between "tradition and environment". Court Verdict and Enforcement Despite concerns of medical and ecological advocates, judges approved the request, mandating that green firecrackers could be set off during limited periods throughout the Diwali. On Monday night, there was extensive violation of the regulated periods across the city, with little enforcement regarding whether the fireworks being used were actually the eco-friendly version. Many monitoring devices throughout the capital recorded air quality peaking around late evening to the most severe measurements seen during the festival in at least three years. Regional Effects The widespread use of fireworks during the festival also sparked a dispute with adjacent the neighboring country, with authorities in Pakistani the Punjab region pointing to worsening pollution levels in the city of Lahore on pollutants originating in neighboring India following the events. Long-Standing Pollution Problem Extremely elevated levels of pollution in Delhi have persisted as a serious issue for more than 15 years, with the problem continuing to worsen. Around the festival period, the concentration of dangerous particles in the environment has been observed to shoot up to 70% higher the most severe levels ever recorded in Beijing, which was once viewed as the world's most polluted urban center. Various Pollution Contributors The situation in the capital is caused by a combination of various sources including heavy vehicle emissions, construction debris, development work, rubbish burning and haze from farm burning in nearby areas of neighboring agricultural zones. Throughout these areas, agricultural workers routinely burn crop residue to prepare for next season, creating dangerous smog that becomes contained over the metropolitan area as winter air sets in. Medical and Economic Consequences Both financial and medical impact on the approximately 33 million people living in the Delhi area is enormous, according to numerous research. These hazardous conditions leads to high levels of neurological, heart and circulatory and breathing disorders, and can potentially cause cancer. The pollution is calculated to be responsible for approximately 10k premature deaths annually in the city.