When Delhi woke up to fog Wednesday morning, people were happy. Dreamy, misty pictures filled Twitter and Instagram feeds as people declared, “Winter is finally here!”
What got us all outraged in the ten days after Diwali is now a peaceful cozy blanket that makes us want to snuggle up in bed.
Also Read: Diwali Aftermath: India Gasps With High Levels of Air Pollution
Even Virat Kohli couldn’t hide his excitement.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Because underneath this winter wonderland, there’s a toxic reality that we can’t ignore.
There is a difference between fog and smog – the former is a low-lying cloud, while the latter is what happens when a lowlying cloud mixes in with air pollution.
And the dropping temperature combined with wintery fog is actually trapping pollutants right under our nostrils. We’re in for a long and very polluted winter.
After a few clear days at the beginning of the week, we’re back up to concerning pollution levels. Air quality is at “Very Unhealthy” and “Hazardous Levels” not just in Delhi, but in other parts of the country too.
If the Air Quality Index is below 50, then that’s great news – the air is clear! Most days in big cities, though, that isn’t the case. Air quality tends to be over 100, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Upwards of 150 it’s unhealthy for everyone, and anywhere above 200 is an emergency level.
Delhi - AQI Is Mainly Hazardous
Mumbai - AQI is Unhealthy
Hyderabad - Unhealthy AQI
Air pollution is a major health concern. The metals and toxins that we breathe in as we lead our city lives are linked to cancer, stroke, heart disease and respiratory illness.
So what are some things you need to look out for before stepping out? Well, you can check Air Quality Levels on a number of platforms, including the Air Quality Index, and System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research.
Air Quality is calculated partially based on small air particles commonly referred to as PM2.5, which are so tiny that they bury themselves deep in your lungs.
You can also check air quality on Twitter and Facebook through tools like Smokey, a bot that sends messages directly to your inbox.
Also Read: Doctor’s Orders: Here’s How To Avoid The Effects Of Air Pollution
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