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As Tuesday dawned citizens of the planet's dirtiest urban center encountered breathing dangerously toxic air that fell into the "severe" category.

Extremely High Pollution Levels

Several parts of the capital showed an pollution measurement over 500, which translates to a tenfold increase over the recommended threshold recommended by the WHO.

In some locations, readings of PM2.5 and PM10 soared to of 1,800, equating to 15 to 20 times exceeding acceptable standards.

Fireworks Restrictions and Recent Changes

Beginning in 2020, officials had enforced a complete ban on the purchase and ignition of pyrotechnics during the Festival of Lights due to their major role to the dangerous smog that covers the capital as winter approaches.

Yet earlier this year, the recently formed local leadership approached the supreme court to request a easing of the prohibition.

Officials advocated for allowing "eco-friendly fireworks" – previously criticized by environmentalists as being only approximately one-third lower impact – as a middle ground between "cultural practices and ecological concerns".

Legal Decision and Enforcement

Much to the frustration of medical and ecological activists, the court approved the proposal, mandating that environmentally conscious fireworks could be used during designated hours throughout the festival.

During the celebrations, there was extensive violation of the designated hours across the city, with minimal regulation regarding whether the pyrotechnics being used were actually the supposedly greener type.

Many recording stations throughout the capital showed air quality reaching highest levels around late evening to extremely hazardous readings seen during the festival in at least three years.

Cross-Border Consequences

Extensive ignition of fireworks during the celebrations also sparked a blame game with bordering Pakistan, with authorities in Pakistani Punjab pointing to worsening air quality in their urban centers on pollutants originating in India following the events.

Long-Standing Environmental Issue

Alarmingly severe levels of atmospheric toxins in Delhi have continued as a significant issue for fifteen-plus years, with the problem gradually deteriorating.

Near the festival period, the amount of toxic airborne contaminants in the environment has been observed to shoot up to seventy percent above the peak readings ever recorded in Beijing, which was formerly viewed as the world's most polluted city.

Diverse Contamination Factors

The problem in the city is attributed to a mix of multiple factors including heavy vehicle emissions, construction debris, construction activities, rubbish burning and pollutants from crop residue ignition in neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.

Throughout these areas, agricultural workers routinely ignite agricultural waste to clear them quickly, creating toxic haze that then gets trapped over the city as cooler air arrives.

Public Health and Economic Consequences

The economic and health consequences on the approximately 33 million residents calling home the metropolitan zone is significant, according to multiple research.

These hazardous conditions causes elevated rates of nervous system, heart and circulatory and breathing disorders, and can potentially cause malignancies.

Air quality crisis is projected to be causing ten thousand early mortalities annually in the capital.