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On Tuesday morning inhabitants of the world's most polluted city found themselves inhaling dangerously toxic air that was classified as the "severe" level.

Alarming Pollution Levels

Various sections of the capital recorded an AQI above 500, which translates to 10x the safe threshold recommended by the global health authority.

In some locations, readings of dangerous airborne particles hit highs of 1800, equating to 15 to 20 times higher than healthy levels.

Firecracker Ban and Recent Changes

Beginning in 2020, the government had implemented a total prohibition on the purchase and ignition of firecrackers during celebrations due to their significant contribution to the dangerous pollution that engulfs the capital as the cold season sets in.

However earlier this year, the newly elected city administration appealed to the highest court to seek a modification of the restrictions.

The suggestion was allowing "environmentally conscious pyrotechnics" – which have been criticized by environmental experts as being only roughly 30 percent reduced emissions – as a middle ground between "tradition and environment".

Legal Decision and Implementation

Much to the frustration of public health and environmental activists, judges complied with the proposal, mandating that green firecrackers could be used during designated periods throughout the Diwali.

On Monday night, there was considerable violation of the designated hours across the metropolis, with little regulation regarding whether the pyrotechnics being used were actually the supposedly greener variety.

Several air quality sensors throughout Delhi recorded pollution reaching highest levels around late evening to the most severe readings seen during the festival in at least three years.

Cross-Border Consequences

The widespread use of firecrackers during the festival also triggered a dispute with adjacent Pakistan, with representatives in Pakistani Punjab pointing to worsening air quality in Lahore on pollutants coming from India following the festivities.

Chronic Environmental Issue

The dangerously high concentrations of pollution in the capital have continued as a major challenge for more than 15 years, with the problem continuing to worsen.

Around the festival period, the concentration of hazardous airborne contaminants in the atmosphere has been found to spike to 70% higher the peak readings ever measured in China's capital, which was once considered as the globally most contaminated urban center.

Diverse Pollution Factors

This crisis in the capital is attributed to a mix of multiple factors including heavy vehicle emissions, construction debris, development work, waste incineration and haze from agricultural fires in nearby states of Punjab and Haryana.

Throughout these areas, agricultural workers routinely ignite agricultural waste to expedite field preparation, creating hazardous smog that then gets trapped over the city as colder air arrives.

Public Health and Financial Impact

Public health and economic impact on the nearly 33 million inhabitants residing in the Delhi area is substantial, according to various investigations.

These hazardous conditions results in high levels of nervous system, heart and circulatory and lung conditions, and can potentially cause oncological diseases.

Air quality crisis is calculated to be responsible for approximately 10k early mortalities annually in the capital.