A tale of two cities: Delhi's air more toxic than LA's wildfire-hit skies

While LA's wildfires and resultant pollution have triggered immediate public health warnings and school closures, Delhi's residents endure severe air pollution with little comparable response

Synonymous with glitz and glamour, Los Angeles County in the United States is grappling with devastating wildfires that have engulfed parts of the region. The choking smoke from these infernos has pushed the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the "unhealthy" category, with a recorded AQI of 158.  

 

Yet, astonishingly, even amidst these natural calamities, LA’s air remains significantly cleaner than that of Delhi. The national capital, notorious for its persistent smog, recorded an AQI of 373 on Thursday evening, which worsened to a hazardous 410 by Friday morning, categorised as "severe" by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). 

 

 

Half of LA is on fire, but the air is still cleaner than Delhi’s https://t.co/hQrRvjZFXI pic.twitter.com/AdLVYRkK4u

— Abhinav Kukreja (@kukreja_abhinav) January 9, 2025

 

This stark contrast highlights a troubling reality for Delhi, where poor air quality has become a daily struggle rather than an exceptional event.

  GRAP Stage III curbs revoked  

Given the severe pollution caused by calm winds and dense fog, the Centre’s panel on air quality re-imposed Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Thursday. However, Delhi’s air quality crisis is not merely a coefficient of weather conditions. It stems from chronic contributors, including vehicular emissions, stubble burning, construction dust, and industrial pollutants.  

 

GRAP Stage III entails a ban on non-essential construction work and requires classes up to grade V to shift to hybrid mode. Parents and students can choose online education wherever available. Under Stage III, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (four-wheelers) are restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts, with exemptions for persons with disabilities. Non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards are also banned in the national capital.  

 

Delhi’s air pollution: A perennial crisis

 

While LA’s wildfires and resultant pollution have triggered immediate public health warnings, school closures, and widespread concern, Delhi's residents endure severe air pollution with little comparable response. Despite air quality levels plunging to hazardous depths, such measures are seldom implemented in the national capital. Even a ‘severe’ AQI is often treated as the new normal.

 

Notably, the CPCB classifies AQI levels from ‘good’ (0-50) to ‘severe plus’ (above 450). Throughout 2024, Delhi recorded its highest number of ‘severe’ AQI days since 2022, with 17 days surpassing the AQI 400 mark and 70 days categorised as ‘very poor’. Shockingly, not a single ‘good’ air quality day was recorded in the entire year, a grim milestone last observed in 2018.

 

Breathing Delhi air equals smoking

 

Doctors equate breathing Delhi’s air to smoking ten cigarettes daily, underscoring the dire health implications for its 30 million residents. Prolonged exposure to such pollution aggravates respiratory illnesses and poses significant health risks. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities, especially during peak pollution hours, use masks and air purifiers, and avoid poorly ventilated spaces.

 

The comparison between LA and Delhi’s air quality serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for sustained and effective measures to combat pollution.