New Delhi, the capital of India, was engulfed in hazardous levels of toxic smog on Wednesday, with air pollution levels soaring more than 50 times above the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limits. Residents, many of whom cannot afford air purifiers or live in homes that can shield them from the toxic air, faced an overwhelming health crisis due to the dangerous air quality.
Every winter, from mid-October through at least January, the combination of cooler temperatures and slow winds traps pollutants, worsening the already severe air pollution in the city, which is home to over 30 million people. On Wednesday morning, parts of the city saw “hazardous” levels of pollution, with the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding 806 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir, a monitoring firm. This level is more than 53 times the daily safe limit recommended by the WHO. By midday, the pollution levels eased slightly but remained between 25 to 35 times higher than safe limits.
The yearly smog crisis is largely caused by the burning of agricultural residue by farmers in neighboring states, as well as emissions from factories and traffic. However, a recent report by The New York Times has revealed that pollution from a power plant burning the city’s landfill waste also contributes significantly to the toxic haze. Experts interviewed by the newspaper found the levels of heavy metals in the air to be deeply concerning.
The dense smog also disrupted transportation, with flight delays across northern India and poor visibility at airports. The India Meteorological Department reported that at least 18 airports in the region, including Delhi, had visibility levels below 1,000 meters, with Delhi’s dropping below 500 meters.
Despite efforts to address the issue, progress has been slow. In a landmark decision last month, India’s Supreme Court declared that clean air is a fundamental human right and directed both the central and state governments to take immediate action. However, political disagreements and reluctance to confront powerful farming lobbies have hindered meaningful change. Local government initiatives, such as spraying water to dampen pollution or using drones for misting, have been widely criticized as insufficient.
The World Health Organization has warned that air pollution contributes to a range of health issues, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory conditions. Vulnerable groups such as children, babies, and the elderly are particularly at risk. A 2019 study published in The Lancet attributed 1.67 million premature deaths in India to air pollution.
0 Comments