Press release - October 23, 2017
Once again Delhi woke up to a blanket of post-Diwali smog. However, data suggests that the average PM 2.5 levels this year (181 microgram/m3) to be significantly lower compared to Diwali 2016 (343 microgram/m3).
New Delhi 20th October 2017 | Once again Delhi woke up to a blanket of post-Diwali smog. However, data suggests that the average PM 2.5 levels this year (181 microgram/m3) to be significantly lower compared to Diwali 2016 (343 microgram/m3). Although there appears to be a slight change in the highest peak recorded, which was 1500 microgram/m3 at PUSA air quality monitoring station at 4:00 AM on 20th October 2017, the situation remains severe based on the data available through CPCB portal.
To understand the attribution of firecrackers to poor air quality, Greenpeace assessed the CPCB data on 18th, 19th and 20th October. There was a spike on 20th morning between 1am to 3 am, taking the air quality readings to more than 1000 microgram/m3 for most of the stations. However, the average background pollution levels around this time of the year seem to be similar to 2016 with the addition of a peak yesterday night due to firecrackers. When the data is compared to the same days last year (October 18th to 20th, 2016), there appears to be no significant difference. The average daily pollution levels for 18th and 19th October, 2016 was between 150-165 microgram/m3 and it remains between 154-181 microgram/m3 this year.
Commenting on the scenario, Sunil Dahiya, Campaigner, Greenpeace India said, “There is enough evidence to prove the regional and comprehensive nature of air pollution. The need today is to curb the major sources of pollution along with curbing the episodic sources, such as Diwali firecrackers, to achieve breathable air throughout the year, and across geographies.”
Delhi witnessed its worst smog in 2016 post Diwali, but there was evidence to indicate that firecrackers alone could not be attributed to its persistence. Diwali could have only caused an episodic spike.
“There are other more significant sources that are collectively deteriorating air quality, especially in North India. If the Environment ministry is committed to protecting and safeguarding public health from air pollution, then we need stronger regulatory action and better designed awareness campaigns to enforce existing plans. A systematic, coordinated, time-bound, and comprehensive action plan addressing all sources of pollution is need of the hour and certainly we cannot deny the impact of poor air quality”, he concludes.
Notes of Editor
- Assessment: https://aaf1a18515da0e792f78-c27fdabe952dfc357fe25ebf5c8897ee.ssl.cf5.rackcdn.com/1862/Diwali+2016+and+2017+Pollution+levels+Coverage.pdf?v=1508496212000
For further details, please contact:
Sunil Dahiya, Campaigner, Greenpeace; 
; 9013673250
Madhulika Verma, Media Specialist; 
; 9971137736