Navigating the haze: Health experts advise on staying safe during Diwali amid severe air pollution

For communities across South Asia, particularly in northern India, the vibrant festivities of Diwali coincide with the return of hazardous winter smog, raising urgent questions about how to celebrate safely. As temperatures drop, severe air pollution blankets parts of Pakistan and China, where warmer air acts as a lid, trapping colder, polluted air near the ground. In eastern Europe, burning coal and wood for heating further degrades winter air quality. Meanwhile, in the Western Hemisphere, seasonal wildfires send vast plumes of smoke across the United States and Canada.

Experts emphasize that regardless of geographic location or seasonal timing, simple precautions—such as monitoring the Air Quality Index (AQI), wearing well-fitted protective masks, and utilizing indoor air purifiers—can significantly reduce exposure to harmful particulate matter.

Diwali, a major festival for Hindus and Jains tied to ancient epics like the Ramayana, is celebrated by an estimated 1 billion people worldwide. The traditional lighting of fireworks during the holiday, which begins Sunday, can temporarily spike pollution levels to dangerous heights, compounding existing environmental hazards.

As the festival approaches, public health specialists offer practical strategies to minimize the respiratory risks associated with severe air pollution.

The impact of fireworks is layered atop a persistent, regional crisis. Across India, Pakistan, and neighboring areas, vehicle emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and the burning of agricultural waste create a toxic baseline. During winter, weak winds and atmospheric stagnation prevent these pollutants from dispersing, leading to hazardous accumulation.

“Poor air quality is our all-year-round problem in our country,” noted Shweta Narayan, a public health expert with the Global Climate and Health Alliance. She warned that the widespread use of firecrackers significantly exacerbates the seasonal crisis.

In India, the Air Quality Index (AQI) translates particulate measurements into actionable health warnings. Readings between 201 and 300 are classified as “poor,” 301 to 400 as “very poor,” and 401 to 500 as “severe.” At severe levels, even healthy individuals face elevated health risks.

Citizens should check real-time pollution data from local monitoring stations via government or private platforms before venturing outdoors. Relying on citywide averages can be misleading, as localized pollution levels in heavily trafficked or industrial neighborhoods may be significantly higher.

The situation is particularly acute in Delhi, where fine particulate matter (PM2.5) averaged roughly 19 times the World Health Organization’s annual safety guidelines last year. In recent winters, air quality monitors in the capital have repeatedly maxed out their display capacities.

In response, city authorities have enacted temporary restrictions on construction, industrial operations, and non-essential vehicle traffic. However, public health advocates argue that these emergency measures often fail to address the systemic root causes. Delhi, home to over 20 million residents, is also pursuing long-term initiatives to promote electric vehicle adoption.

Dr. Arvind Kumar, a chest surgeon at Medanta hospital near Delhi and founder of the Lung Care Foundation, strongly recommends using tightly fitted N95 or N99 respirator masks when outdoors during periods of heavy smog. These specialized masks are readily available at pharmacies, hardware stores, and online retailers.

N95 filters are engineered to capture at least 95% of airborne particles, while N99 filters achieve a 99% capture rate. It is crucial to note that these particulate respirators do not filter out harmful gaseous pollutants.

For optimal protection, the mask must fully cover the nose, mouth, and chin. Users should mold the nose clip to the bridge of the nose and inspect the seal with every use. Facial hair can compromise the mask’s integrity by breaking the seal. The objective, Kumar stresses, is to ensure that “all the breathing is through the mask and not around the mask.”

Disposable masks should be replaced when they become dirty, damaged, or difficult to breathe through. Masks are not suitable for children under the age of two. Individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions should consult a physician before using respirator masks.

Standard surgical masks, loose cloth coverings, and scarves offer highly unreliable protection against fine, inhalable particles.

Kumar warns that prolonged exposure to polluted air can trigger persistent coughing, airway inflammation, and asthma-like exacerbations. He also highlights increased risks of pneumonia, myocardial infarction, and stroke, alongside long-term consequences such as impaired lung development in children and elevated lung cancer risk.

To minimize physiological strain, individuals should avoid strenuous outdoor exercise during peak pollution periods, particularly in the early mornings when particulate concentrations are often at their highest.

Indoor air purifiers can serve as an effective barrier against outdoor infiltration. These systems draw in room air, filter out contaminants, and recirculate cleaner air. To be effective, a purifier must be appropriately sized for the room in which it operates. Consumers should look for units equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters and evaluate their Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR).

Purifiers should be placed in areas where people spend the most time, such as bedrooms, and kept running consistently with unobstructed airflow. While HEPA filters trap particulate matter, substantial activated-carbon filters are necessary to remove gaseous pollutants. No consumer purifier eliminates 100% of pollutants. Devices that intentionally generate ozone should be avoided, as ozone is a potent lung irritant.

While cleaner indoor air reduces overall exposure, Kumar cautions that air purifiers cannot entirely neutralize the health risks associated with severe ambient pollution.

During the festive season, households should also avoid burning incense, mosquito coils, and candles indoors, as their particulate emissions can linger for hours in poorly ventilated spaces. Fireworks smoke can persist overnight, and collective emissions from multiple households can degrade air quality across entire neighborhoods, affecting even those who do not actively participate in the celebrations. Opting for electric lighting offers a safer, smoke-free alternative for Diwali festivities.

“If one wants to celebrate and truly enjoy the festival of Diwali, avoid bursting firecrackers,” urged Narayan.

The Indian Ministry of Health also advises reducing smoky cooking fumes by utilizing outdoor-venting kitchen exhausts. Additionally, damp-mopping floors and wiping down dusty surfaces—rather than dry sweeping—helps prevent the re-suspension of settled particulate matter.

Personal precautions have inherent limitations. Narayan pointed out that individuals who work outdoors, such as laborers and street vendors, cannot simply stay home to escape the smog. Furthermore, many low-income families cannot afford the cost of air purifiers.

She called for sustained, systemic action to mitigate pollution sources and ensure accessible, affordable healthcare for those already suffering from pollution-related illnesses. “Masks and filters can reduce exposure, but lasting protection requires governments to clean the air.”

“It’s our responsibility to hold our governments accountable,” Narayan concluded. “There’s no other way about it.”

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