NEW DELHI: Firecracker emissions accounted for more than 80% of Delhi's pollution load on Monday, a day after Diwali, according to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's models, highlighting the sharp impact of fireworks on the capital's air quality. The contribution came even as the city was already battling high pollution levels from multiple sources.The situation, however, showed some improvement on Tuesday, with the AQI at 299 at 4pm, bringing it into the 'poor' category from 'very poor' a day earlier. However, it deteriorated to very poor by 6pm with an AQI of 302.Toxins from Diwali firecrackers lingered on Tuesday as well, with IITM showing 29.9% of pollution contribution due to firecrackers between 1am and 9am, while secondary organic compounds - formed due to chemical reactions of emitted particles in air - were the secondary source at 17.5% of net pollution on Tuesday. IMD attributed cleaner air to favourable wind, which helped disperse pollutants accumulated over the city and barred intrusion of stubble smoke from neighbouring states.Vehicular emissions third biggest source of pollution day after DiwaliThe easing came despite a…
80% of Delhi's pollution Monday due to crackers
In short
Firecracker emissions overwhelmed Delhi's atmosphere on Monday, with secondary organic compounds and vehicular exhaust contributing smaller shares of 5.8% and 4.4% respectively. Pyrotechnic residues continued to impact the capital into Tuesday morning, accounting for roughly thirty percent of measured pollutants before 9am. A temporary surge in dispersing winds briefly lowered the AQI into the poor bracket before conditions deteriorated back to very poor levels by evening. Moving forward, the city's atmospheric health remains tied to baseline urban emissions and prevailing weather patterns.
Key points
- Local holiday pyrotechnics rather than external agricultural fires served as the overwhel…: Local holiday pyrotechnics rather than external agricultural fires served as the overwhelming driver of Delhi's immediate post-Diwali toxic haze.
- Temporary meteorological relief was short-lived as the city's air quality slipped back in…: Temporary meteorological relief was short-lived as the city's air quality slipped back into the very poor tier after a brief wind-driven respite.
- Sustaining safer breathing conditions will rely heavily on managing routine metropolitan…: Sustaining safer breathing conditions will rely heavily on managing routine metropolitan emissions alongside favorable dispersing wind speeds.