Noise pollution, which was monitored at five locations in the city, was marginally higher than last year as it ranged between 66.1 decibel(A) and 75.8 dB(A), while last year, it had varied from 65.9 dB(A) to 74.8 dB(A).
"The ambient air is influenced by plumes of smoke from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana. There is no significant wind movement and the fireworks add to that. So, this is an accumulative effect," a Delhi Environment Department official said.
The 24-hour average of PM 2.5, particles that measure less than 2.5 microns in diameter, ranged between 180 g/m3 and 440 g/m3. The prescribed standard for it is 60.
Diwali in 2015 saw PM 10 averaging between 296 and 778 g/m3 while in 2014, the same was recorded between 421 and 790 g/m3.
In case of PM 2.5, the average concentration recorded in 2015 was between 184 and 369 g/m3. The data for 2014 was not immediately available.
Prolonged exposure to PM 2.5 and PM 10 beyond the safe limits can harm the respiratory system as the ultra-fine particulates can find their way deep into the lungs and also enter the bloodstream.
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