Deepavali pollution spike: How does it affect lung function and respiratory health? | Explainer

A few hours of exposure to firecracker smoke can be enough to trigger coughing, wheezing or breathlessness, particularly in people living with asthma or other respiratory conditions. The effects, however, are not limited to those with an existing diagnosis. High concentrations of particulate matter and gases can irritate the airways in anyone.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a numerical measure that converts the levels of different air pollutants into a single figure to indicate how polluted the air is and the likely health effects. India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) calculates it using eight pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.