Due to extensive violations of firework ban , Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) has worsened, causing asthma attacks, bronchitis, and lung difficulties. Firecrackers release 200–2000 times the WHO limit. Coughing, choking, chest pain, asthma attacks, and immune system damage from toxic vapors can cause chronic lung illness, lung fibrosis, and lung cancer. Keep seniors, asthmatics, COPD patients, and heart patients indoors and secure windows and doors…
As AQI has deteriorated after Diwali due to widespread firework ban violations, doctors have noticed an increase in asthma attacks, bronchitis, and lung difficulties in Delhiites.
Delhi air pollution is worsened by firecrackers.
Phooljhari, anaar, ladi, and chakri firecrackers release 200 to 2000 times the WHO limit.
The impact of air pollution and increase in PM 2.5 due to fire crackers is different due to particle contents, according to PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine chairman GC Khilnani, a WHO Global Air Pollution and Health technical advisory group member. Firecracker emissions contain barium, potassium, sulphur, and coloring additives like aluminum, lithium, copper, strontium, and others.
Khilnani added: “Charcoal and nitrates are produced by burning paper and glue. Toxic fumes cause coughing, choking, running noses, chest pain, asthma attacks, and long-term immune system damage. Lung cancer, fibrosis, and chronic lung disease are long-term effects.
He emphasized that everyone should be wary of rising hazardous gas levels.
He advised seniors and those with asthma, COPD, and heart disease to stay indoors and lock their windows and doors.
Every year, more patients come to the OPD and emergency room with severe dyspnea, cough, and inhaler and nebulization needs. He claimed even healthy people wake up with extreme dryness, sore throat, cough, and choking.
At Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, senior consultant of pulmonology Dr. Navneet Sood said: “We have seen a surge in cases, including respiratory distress, exacerbated asthma and bronchitis, especially among those with pre-existing conditions like COPD or asthma.” He said Dharamshila physicians treated 14-15 respiratory patients. Only two needed COPD management hospitalizations, same to previous year.
According to Dr. Vivek Nangia, principal director and head of pulmonology at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, many are complaining of suffocation and nasal blockage. They’re having trouble breathing. I recommend nebulizers and steroids in some circumstances. People with headaches, nasal blockages, throat soreness, chest pain, chest tightness, dyspnea, or wheezing should see a doctor promptly.
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital senior consultant of pulmonology and critical care Dr. Rajesh Chawla said: “Respiratory and cardiovascular cases like COPD and asthma are rising. While regional numbers may differ, the overall growth shows a major public health impact.”
Senior doctor in the pediatric department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr. Dhiren Gupta, said: “Many stable asthmatics came to the emergency with severe exacerbation.”
A study published in a European journal that measured PM 2.5 levels after each commonly used firecracker, such as sparklers, ground spinners, flower pots, pulpuls, garland of 1,000 sound crackers, and snake tablets, found that the snake tablet causes the most pollution. It affects all age groups, especially COPD, asthma, post-Covid, and TB patients.
Conclusion
During Diwali, Delhiites broke the firecracker prohibition, causing asthma attacks, bronchitis, and lung difficulties, according to doctors. Delhi firecrackers release 200–2000 times the WHO limit. The effects of air pollution and PM 2.5 increase vary owing to particle contents such barium, potassium, sulphur, and coloring additives. Firecracker smoke can induce coughing, choking, chest pain, asthma attacks, and chronic lung illness, lung fibrosis, and lung cancer. Everyone should lock their windows and doors due to the increasing hazardous gasses in the air. Seniors and those with asthma, COPD, and heart disease should stay indoors and lock windows and doors.
