K Palaniswami urges Rajasthan, Odisha CMs to revoke ban on firecrackers, cites impact on Tamil Nadu's fireworks industry
In identical letters sent to the chief ministers of both states, the Tamil Nadu CM also argued that there is no empirical or validated data to demonstrate that the bursting of crackers has an effect on COVID-19 patients
Delhi bans firecrackers ahead of Diwali as COVID-19 cases rise, pollution worsens
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also appealed to people to join him and his ministers in a 'Laxmi Pujan' programme to be organised by the AAP government this Diwali instead of bursting crackers
Centre's decision to form panel to fight Delhi pollution arbitrary; involving states must for solution
The Central government should have taken the decision to form a panel much before the pollution season started.
Farm fires, calm winds, low temperatures push Delhi air quality to worst since November 2019
People complained of itchy throats and watery eyes while health experts said air pollution has become a serious concern for residents amid the pandemic
Will monitor smoke levels during Diwali, says West Bengal pollution control board
After citizens voiced concerns about firecracker smoke endangering COVID-19 patients, WBPCB said it may consider banning firecrackers in vicinity of designated hospitals and quarantine centres
Exporting old cars to developing nations adds to the air pollution in those countries: UN report
UNEP report calls for tightening of the rules for exporting and importing old, polluting vehicles as car ownership are expected to be a major source of emissions in the coming decades.
Daily COVID-19 cases drop below 50,000; lowest fatality rate since 22 March, says Centre
Meanwhile, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar joined the list of ministers and politicians who have tested positive for COVID-19
Stubble burning: SC keeps its 16 Oct order in abeyance after Centre says law being drafted to curb air pollution
In its 16 October order, SC had appointed one-man panel of retired apex court judge Justice Madan B Lokur to monitor the steps taken by neighbouring states to prevent stubble burning
EPCA says Delhi's air quality may deteriorate to 'severe' on Saturday; urges residents to avoid going out
EPCA said that according to SAFAR Delhi could be in severe category tomorrow for some period. However, the uncertainty over the wind direction meant that the situation could either improve or further worsen on 25 Oct
At least 1,16,000 infant deaths due to air pollution recorded in India last year, reveals study
For the youngest infants, most deaths were related to complications from low birth weight and premature birth — direct outcomes of mothers' exposure to air pollution during pregnancy
Arvind Kejriwal launches campaign to tackle air pollution, urges people to switch off engines at traffic signals
Delhi has recently recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 315, which falls under 'very poor' category. The last time the air quality hit such a poor level was in February
Delhi Cabinet approves smog tower installation in Connaught Place; project is 'first of its kind', says Kejriwal
The Delhi government is also setting up a panel of national-level transplantation agencies whose services can be availed for relocation of trees
Health
Exposure of young population to air pollution may increase risks of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, other neurodegenerative diseases
Fine particulate air pollution usually shoots up during the winter months, especially in parts of North India, due to crop burning and excessive bursting of firecrackers.
Arvind Kejriwal launches anti-air pollution campaign in Delhi, says polluted air can be life-threatening in view of COVID-19
Kejriwal said a 'war room' is being set up to monitor all anti-pollution measures being taken by his government and also creating a 'Green Delhi' mobile application
Air pollution can lead to type-2 diabetes, heart attacks, stroke finds new research
The team of researchers also found that being exposed to air pollution was comparable to eating a high-fat diet.
Health
Exposure to air pollution not only increases risk of asthma attacks but also of disease onset in children
The researchers found that while children whose parents had asthma were still more likely to develop the chronic disease, those who were exposed to higher levels of small particulate matter (PM 2.5) and nitrate pollution also had an increased risk of asthma onset.
Health
Depression, air pollution among 12 risk factors one must avoid to reduce chances of dementia
A recent report by Lancet Commission indicates that taking action against certain lifestyle risk factors at an early age can reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life to a large extent
India, China and Russia don't take care of their air pollution, says Donald Trump
Calling it 'one-sided, energy-destroying', Trump justified America's withdrawal from Paris climate accord on his watch
SC pulls up IIT-Bombay for backing out of smog tower project in Delhi, warns of action
The top court had directed IIT-Bombay to take responsibility for the project — a large air purifier in Delhi's Connaught Place to tackle air pollution