Why festive smoke is harmful for infants and how parents can protect their children during Diwali

As Diwali lights up the skies, the festival’s trademark firecrackers also send a dangerous mix of smoke, fine particles and toxic gases into the air — a combination that can be especially harmful to babies and young children.

Doctors warn that the post-firecracker haze, often coupled with already poor urban air quality, poses severe respiratory risks to infants whose lungs and immune systems are still developing.

India routinely records some of the world’s worst air quality levels during and after the festive season. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board shows that PM2.5 concentrations can spike to several times the safe limit, lingering in the atmosphere for days. For babies and young children, these particles can cause lasting harm far beyond the few days of celebration.

Why babies are especially vulnerable

“Festive firecrackers bring excitement to celebrations, but they also release smoke, fine particles, and harmful gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides,” explained Dr Anamika Dubey, Neonatologist at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Malviya Nagar. “These pollutants can stay in the air long after the fireworks are over, creating thick smog that can seriously harm babies and young children.”

Dr Dubey said infants breathe faster and take in more air for their body size, which makes them particularly vulnerable. “Breathing polluted air can cause coughing, nasal congestion, wheezing, and respiratory infections. Long-term exposure may slow lung growth, worsen asthma, or increase the risk of allergies later,” she said, adding that premature babies or those with existing health issues are at even greater risk.

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A smaller airway means bigger impact

Dr Poonam Sidana, Director – Neonatology & Paediatrics, CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi, noted that smaller babies rely completely on adults to move them to safer places when air quality deteriorates. “During the festival season, the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 rise sharply, along with harmful gases and heavy metals. These irritate the respiratory system, especially in babies, and can also cause eye irritation,” she said.

She explained that babies’ windpipes and airways are much narrower than adults’, which means “even slight swelling or irritation has nearly four times the effect.” Poor ventilation indoors can also trap pollutants, extending exposure. “When you consider their immature immune systems, prolonged exposure in closed spaces, and dependence on adults, it becomes clear that babies are much more vulnerable to pollution’s effects,” she said.

Dr Sidana advised parents to maintain clean indoor air with purifiers or air-purifying plants, ensure good ventilation when outdoor pollution levels are low, and keep windows shut during peak smog hours. “Feeding nutrient-rich foods, keeping babies hydrated, and avoiding smoky areas are simple but vital precautions,” she added.

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Pollution spikes and the long-term risk

The health impact of even short-term pollution surges can be severe, said Dr Vikas Mittal, Director – Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi. “Long-term exposure to air pollution reduces lung growth and contributes to asthma and chronic respiratory problems in children,” he said. “But even short-term spikes, like those during Diwali, can cause serious health effects, especially in babies.”

He noted that firecrackers release high levels of PM2.5, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metals that remain suspended in the air for 24 to 72 hours. “A 2015 AIIMS Delhi study found that paediatric emergency visits for respiratory distress double after Diwali every year. Research in The Lancet Planetary Health also linked short-term pollution spikes to more infant hospitalisations,” Dr Mittal said.

While one-time exposure may not cause lasting lung damage in healthy infants, repeated annual exposure combined with year-round urban pollution can impair lung development over time, he cautioned. Parents should “limit outdoor exposure for two to three days after Diwali, use air purifiers, keep windows closed, and seek medical advice if symptoms occur.”

Festive advice for families with respiratory patients

For families with members already suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), festive pollution requires extra caution, said Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Head – Critical Care and Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.

“Lungs are delicate filters, and once irritated, recovery can take weeks,” he said. “Even brief exposure to firecracker smoke can aggravate symptoms by increasing airway inflammation and reducing oxygen exchange.”

Dr Grover advised patients to maintain regular medication schedules, avoid crowded or smoky areas, and wear well-fitted masks outdoors. “Stay indoors during peak firework hours, keep windows closed, and consider steam inhalation to soothe the airways,” he said. “If you experience persistent cough, wheezing, or breathlessness, seek medical care promptly. Protecting your lungs is protecting your life — celebrate Diwali responsibly and let the lights, not the smoke, fill your home with happiness.”