Air pollution-Supreme Court bans firecrackers sale in Delhi

Supreme Court has imposed a ban on firecracker sale in Delhi. The level of particulate matter (PM) present in air was found to be 40 times higher than the safe limit in the first week of November.
The apex court also directed suspension of licenses for possessing, stocking and selling of fire crackers in Delhi-NCR till further orders.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is asked to file a reply within three weeks regarding harmful effects of firecrackers. Environmentalists were seeking courts intervention in passing orders for ban on sale of firecrackers due to increasing level of pollution in the national capital.

This year, pollution readings in the capital city spiked to new highs in the days after the festival. The suffocating smog reduced visibility to just a few meters, and the Delhi government closed schools for three days.
Delhi has retained the unique distinction of being the most polluted city in the world. Levels of particulate matter are highest and across the country, over 7,00,000 deaths occur annually due to air pollution-related diseases.
Studies show citizens of India have 30 per cent lower lung capacity than Europeans and that the children are worst affected, as their lungs are not fully developed, making their systems more vulnerable.