Listen to Story As Diwali approaches, a toxic haze settles over the northern parts of India. This year, ahead of the festival, which will be celebrated on October 31, Delhi's air has already gone over 10 times the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Delhi's air quality index (AQI) was 356 on Sunday evening, as per the Central Pollution Control Board.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The index is bound to worsen in the coming days. STUBBLE BURNING, FIRECRACKERS AND LUNG DISEASES The months of October and November witness air pollution from several sources.
The burning of stubble in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh release contributes significantly to air pollution with firecrackers just exacerbating the condition . Stubble burning happens when the leftover crop is set on fire after harvesting grains like wheat and rice. It has been a common practice in places where farmers use combined methods of harvesting.
Every year, cases of stubble burning are reported despite this practice being illegal in India. This practice releases gaseous pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and methane (CH4) as well as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) causing serious damage to human health and the environment.
Stubble burning has been a common practice in places where farmers use combined method of harvesting. (Photo: PTI) According t.