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Delhi Air Pollution: With Diwali around the corner, firecrackers are once again at the center of the pollution debate in Delhi. The Supreme Court has allowed the sale of green crackers in Delhi-NCR region under certain conditions. According to the apex court’s order green firecrackers sale will be allowed from October 18 to 20 only. People can bur these crackers on the two days of Diwali (October 19 and 20) between 6 am and 7 am and between 8 pm to 10 pm.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi registered an AQI of 370 at 8 am on Friday with the reading expected to worsen in the coming days. Despite the use of so-called green crackers, which are designed to emit fewer pollutants than traditional fireworks, doctors caution that their impact on air quality remains significant, especially when used in large volumes. Medical professionals are urging the public to take preventive measures, as prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels can aggravate respiratory illnesses.

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Doctors Sound Alarm

Professor-Doctor, Arvind Kumar, Founder, Trustee at Lung Care Foundation and Chest Surgeon at Medanta termed the word green crackers a "misnomer."

"The word 'green' to me is a misnomer which takes away the risk element or rather makes it appear less problematic," Dr Arvind Kumar told NDTV.

Cardiologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr Rajat Mohan advices people to use N95 masks in the coming days. He also warned about increased chances of heart attacks during the winter months.

"Air pollution can have immediate effects, such as acute cardiac events like a heart attack, and late effects, like the buildup of cholesterol deposits in the arteries. The patient may experience high blood pressure. We should try to reduce the exposure to air pollution. We should avoid areas close to busy roads and factories. If we have to go out for prolonged periods, then it is better to wear an N95 mask," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

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Paediatrician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr Neeraj termed the air pollution in the national capital as an emergency.

"There are many pollutants in air pollution, like PM2.5 and PM10... Now, PM10 particles usually go to the nose, remain in the throat and the upper respiratory tract... They cause troubles like a blocked nose, a runny nose, recurrent sneezing and coughing," Dr Neeraj explained problems caused by particulate matter, in an interview with ANI.

"Particles like PM2.5 go deeper inside the lungs and cause breathing difficulty, breathlessness. If somebody is subjected to air pollution for a long time, lung health deteriorates very fast. Air pollution is an emergency. We need to act on this emergency today," he emphasised.

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