Diwali: 40% dip in emissions from crackers

Ban had an impact: Safar

New Delhi, Oct. 29: The level of emissions from fireworks fell by around 40 per cent during Diwali festivities this time as compared to 2016, according to the findings of a study which assume importance in the light of a region-wide ban on the sale of firecrackers by the Supreme Court.

The Safar study concluded that, as a whole, the Diwali period (October 18-22) was the cleanest since 2014. Level of particulates did shoot up a day after Diwali, but the dispersion was quicker and air quality attained the pre-Diwali level within three days.

Safar, a Central government air quality monitoring agency, based its findings on a detailed study of air quality, sources of emissions and meteorological conditions which prevailed in the national capital during this period.

As compared to emissions from fireworks in 2016, the dip was significant: 50 per cent on October 19, the Diwali night; 25 per cent on October 20, when pollution peaked and 45 per cent on October 21, Safar (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) said in its report released on Sunday.

But if less firecrackers were burnt, what explains the fact that air quality turned “severe” for the first time in 2017, a day after Diwali?

The amount of PM2.5, an ultrafine particulate measuring less than 20 times the width of a human hair, recorded by Safar during the period went like this: October 18 — 136, October 19 — 174, October 20 — 407, October 21 — 203 and October 22 — 139 micrograms per cubic

metre (ug/m3). The 24hour safe standard is 60 (ug/m3). Safar project director Gufran Beig explained that reduction in emissions from a particular source and reduction in levels of pollution are not linearly related or directly proportional.

“The ban on crackers certainly had an impact. The days that preceded and followed Diwali saw restraint from people. Usually, crackers are set off before and after the actual night of festivities as well. The real impact could be seen on October 20,” Mr Beig said.

He said the post-Diwali air had also been good.