After the decision of Honorable Supreme Court of banning cracker sale in Delhi NCR, this Diwali became the cleanest as compare to previous 2 years. Though it was a ban on the sale of cracker residents of Delhi NCR has managed to burn crackers.
As per the report was given by Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) and the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi had reached the air quality index (AQI) of 319 which comes in the very poor air quality category. It is advised to people that if possible then avoid any kind of physical activities and stay at home.
Nonetheless, the Air Quality Index(AQI) is much better than the previous year 2016 Diwali where AQI was 431 and in 2015 it was 343. Next day of Diwali this years the AQI for Delhi NCR is 340. Where in 2016 the AQI of Delhi was 360 and in 2015 it was 445.
Besides residents burst crackers in Delhi NCR on Diwali but the volume was very much less comparing the year 2015 and 2016 respectively. People travelled outside to buy crackers and some people managed their Diwali by bursting last year crackers. It was little bit smoke-free but the poor quality of air is still a big worry.
Poor Air quality can be harmful to those people who have already the ailment of asthma. People may suffer the problem of respiratory sickness, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
Honorable Supreme Court has appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority that has authority to implement Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to fight with air pollution in Delhi and its adjacent region.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has also banned diesel generator set w.e.f on October 17 and this ban remains until the March 15 of next year.
Air pollution contains 2 harmful component Particulate Matter(PM)10 and PM 2.5. In the year 2016, the quantity of these two particles was 8 times more than safe limits. This year 2017 is little but satisfactory as the level of PM 10 and PM 2.5 is two and half times more than safe limits.
But unfortunately, PM10 and PM 2.5 levels during Diwali and after Diwali in few area of Delhi NCR were nearly 24 times and 15 times more than safe limits. As per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) of the Union ministry of earth sciences, The level of PM 10 and PM 2.5 were “poor” and “very poor” respectively. The level of PM10 was 256µg/m³ and PM2.5 was 154µg/m³— which exceeds approximately two and half times the safe limits. It is noted that the satisfactory level of PM 10 is 100µg/m³ and M2.5 is 60µg/m³. These fines particles can be very harmful to your respiratory system moreover it can cause lung cancer.
Well, we urge to all residents of Delhi NCR to avoid burning crackers so that the quality of air can be better.
