Delhi saw cleanest air quality post-Deepavali in seven years: CPCB

Though people violated a ban and burst firecrackers, leading to a main pollutant rising up to 10-17 times, air quality improved with time due to favourable meteorological conditions, say experts

The national capital on Tuesday witnessed the cleanest air quality on the day after Deepavali in the past seven years, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

Though people across the city violated a ban and burst firecrackers on Deepavali night, leading to a main pollutant rising up to 10-17 times, the permissible limit in different parts of the city, the air quality improved with time due to favourable meteorological conditions, according to experts.

Better air quality this year is also because the air quality on the day before Deepavali (Sunday) this year was the cleanest recorded in Delhi a day before Deepavali in the last seven years.

Every year, Delhi experiences extreme air pollution during winter due to internal and external factors, including stubble burning in neighbouring States.

As people burst firecrackers, the level of PM2.5 — a major pollutant — on Monday night and early hours of Tuesday rose, but it gradually fell as the day progressed, shows Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCB) data.

PM2.5 (Particulate matter 2.5) are fine inhalable particles, which can get into lungs and bloodstream and lead to a range of respiratory and other diseases.