Delhi Air Pollution Peaks 10 Times WHO Limit

• Delhi’s air pollution has surpassed the World Health Organization’s safe limit, with hazardous PM2.5 levels recorded at 160 micrograms per cubic metre.
• PM2.5, inhalable particles, pose serious respiratory issues.
• Sources include combustion of fuel, wood, and agriculture waste, and increases due to farm fires, firecracker bursting, and slow wind speed.
• Post-Delhavali, PM2.5 concentration increased by over 123 times due to residents violating the ban on firecrackers.
• Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) reading was 356 at 4 p.m. on Sunday, potentially entering the’severe’ zone if residents continue to violate the ban.
• BJP blames the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the pollution, claiming farm fires and dusty roads are the main causes.
• AAP argues that incidents of stubble burning are increasing in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.