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As Tuesday dawned inhabitants of the world's most polluted city found themselves exposed to severely hazardous air that fell into the "critical" level.

Extremely High Pollution Readings

Several parts of the capital showed an pollution measurement over 500, which represents a tenfold increase over the recommended level set by the global health authority.

Certain monitoring stations, levels of toxic particulate matter hit highs of 1800, amounting to 15 to 20 times exceeding safe limits.

Fireworks Prohibition and New Developments

Since 2020, officials had implemented a total prohibition on the sale and use of fireworks during Diwali due to their significant contribution to the deadly haze that blankets the city as winter begins.

However recently, the recently formed city administration appealed to the highest court to propose a easing of the ban.

They proposed allowing "eco-friendly fireworks" – previously criticized by environmentalists as being only approximately one-third reduced emissions – as a balance between "heritage and environment".

Court Verdict and Implementation

To the disappointment of environmental and health activists, the court agreed to the proposal, stipulating that green firecrackers could be ignited during specific periods throughout the festival.

Throughout the festival evening, there was widespread disregard of the designated hours across the capital, with minimal enforcement regarding whether the firecrackers being used were actually the eco-friendly variety.

Numerous monitoring devices throughout the capital showed pollution peaking around midnight to some of the worst levels recorded during celebrations in at least the past three years.

Cross-Border Consequences

The widespread use of fireworks during Diwali also triggered a controversy with neighbouring the neighboring country, with officials in Pakistan's Punjab pointing to deteriorating air quality in Lahore on contaminants originating in neighboring India following the festivities.

Persistent Pollution Crisis

The dangerously high levels of atmospheric toxins in the capital have continued as a major challenge for fifteen-plus years, with the situation continuing to worsen.

Near the festival period, the amount of toxic particles in the atmosphere has been documented to spike to 70% higher the worst levels ever documented in China's capital, which was previously considered as the globally most contaminated metropolis.

Multiple Contamination Contributors

This crisis in the capital is caused by a combination of different contributors including heavy vehicle emissions, dust, building projects, rubbish burning and haze from agricultural fires in adjacent regions of farming communities.

Within these states, agricultural workers regularly set their fields on fire to expedite field preparation, creating dangerous pollution that remains stagnant over the metropolitan area as winter air arrives.

Public Health and Financial Toll

Public health and economic consequences on the nearly 33 million inhabitants living in the capital region is significant, according to various studies.

The contaminated air results in increased incidence of neurological, heart and circulatory and breathing diseases, and can potentially cause oncological diseases.

The pollution is calculated to be responsible for ten thousand early fatalities annually in the capital.