Diwali Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR: Understanding Its Impact on Lung Health

Every year, the festive season brings celebrations, gatherings, lights, sweets and traditional cuisines, brightening neighbourhoods and bringing people together.

However, this period is also associated with a significant deterioration in air quality, particularly across Delhi-NCR. The problem is not limited to firecrackers alone. Emissions from vehicles, construction activities, road dust, industrial operations, waste burning, and seasonal agricultural residue burning, combined with unfavourable meteorological conditions and reduced wind speed, contribute to the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere.

The resulting increase in particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic pollutants can have adverse effects on respiratory health.

Exposure can cause airway inflammation, trigger coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness, and worsen existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.

Consequently, many residents of Delhi-NCR experience an increase in respiratory symptoms and seek medical attention during this period. As air quality deteriorates, the need for clean and breathable air becomes an immediate public health concern.

Individuals who are most affected

Some people experience only mild throat irritation or a cough, but others can become severely unwell. 

Individuals are:

• Young Children: their airways are smaller and immune system is still developing

• Older Adults: Particularly those with heart disease

• People with asthma, COPD, allergies, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease or tuberculosis

• Patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or stroke risk

• Pregnant Women

• People Who smoke, Vape, or are exposed to biomass smoke at home.

• People working outdoors: Traffic police, delivery personnel, street vendors, shop owners and construction workers

Even healthy individuals can develop symptoms after high exposure, especially if they spend long hours outdoors.

Individuals can have lung symptoms such as dry persistent cough, throat irritation and burning sensation, wheezing or whistling sound while breathing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, going through multiple inhalers in a shorter time span, sneezing, fatigue, and sleep apnea.

Even after diwali, these particles remain suspended in the air, especially during the shift in winter winds and temperature. This toxic fine smoke settles in your homes through open windows, doors, balconies, and ventilation systems. People travelling to their workplace and offices add on an additional exposure on top of these toxic gasses and that is vehicle emission.

Every citizen of Delhi needs to have some security measures to deal with the pre and post diwali AQI hazards.

Here are some safety measures to take:

1. Select Eco-Friendly Festivities

Avoiding firecrackers entirely is the safest course of action for lungs.

If your family wants to celebrate in both light and sound, consider the following options:

• Lanterns, LED lights, and diyas

• Rangoli and floral arrangements

• Light displays or laser shows for the community

• Traditional sweets, music, and family get-togethers

• Green crackers should only be consumed in areas that are legally allowed, and even then, only in small amounts and in areas with good ventilation.

• The quantity of smoke and particulate matter discharged into the atmosphere is immediately decreased by reducing the use of firecrackers. 

2. Before leaving, check the AQI

During the festival season, make it a daily habit to check the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Limit outside activities, particularly morning walks, jogging, cycling, and outdoor sports, if the AQI is poor, very bad, or severe.

When you exercise, you breathe in more air, which increases the quantity of pollutants that enters your lungs. Workouts should be postponed or moved indoors on days with severe pollution. 

3. Put on the Appropriate Mask Outside

The protection provided by a surgical mask or fabric mask against tiny particles is limited. Use a properly fitting N95 or FFP2 respirator for prolonged outdoor exposure, especially if you have heart disease, asthma, or COPD.

A mask should completely enclose the mouth and nose, preventing air leaks from the sides. It is particularly helpful for travelling during periods of high pollution, working outside, waiting at traffic signals, and commuting.

4. Maintain Clean Indoor Air

If you take good care of it, your house might become a haven from the pollution outside.

During periods of high pollution, particularly early in the morning and late at nite, keep windows and doors closed.

If an air purifier with a HEPA filter is available, use it, especially in the bedroom.

Steer clear of mosquito coils, indoor smoking, incense smoke, and excessive candle burning.

Instead of dry dusting, use a moist cloth or mop to clean floors.

If the outside air gets better, ventilate for a short while during comparatively cleaner hours.

Steer clear of hoover cleaners that don't have HEPA filtration because they could spread fine dust.

Both indoor and outdoor air pollution significantly contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

5. Keeping Kids Safe on Diwali

Because their lungs are still developing, they breathe more quickly than adults, and they spend more time near the ground, children are more vulnerable. Reduced lung function, asthma, respiratory infections, and other long-term health consequences in children have all been connected to air pollution.

To keep kids safe:

• Young children should not be allowed to handle or stand close to firecrackers.

• During the hours when smoke is most prevalent, keep children inside.

• Keep crackers away from doorways, balconies, and windows.

• After playing outside, promote washing your hands.

• If a kid exhibits rapid breathing, chest retractions, unusual lethargy, poor eating, or a persistent cough, get medical help as soon as possible. 

When Is It Time to See a Pulmonologist?

See a Pulmonologist right away if:

• The duration of your cough exceeds one week.

• Chest tightness or wheezing keeps returning.

• You require your inhaler more frequently than normal.

• Your youngster is breathing more quickly than usual or is more exhausted than usual. 

Every individual experiences respiratory discomfort differently, and it is important to pay attention to what your body is telling you. While occasional irritation may settle with time, persistent or recurring symptoms deserve attention rather than being overlooked. Being mindful of these changes, especially during periods of increased air pollution, can help you make informed decisions about your respiratory health and recognise when professional medical attention may be needed. 

Celebrate, with a little less smoke

I love Diwali. The lights, the sweets and a house full of family are good for health too.

Use electric diyas, make rangoli, share sweets, and watch the fireworks from a distance.

A festival that leaves everyone able to breathe the next morning is a better festival.

If you or someone at home has asthma, COPD, a long-standing cough or heart disease, book a pre-festival check-up: https://www.dmrahulsharma.com/contact