A Diwali sans crackers

GURGAON: The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has appealed its residents to not burst crackers, in a bid to reduce air pollution in the region. Officials said sulphur dioxide and suspended particulate matter such as PM10 are released in the air when crackers are burst. Ranbir Rathi, senior officer, HSPCB, said, "At present, the pollution level has not increased much, however, if the pollutants are trapped in the atmosphere for a longer period, smog will occur. This year, the air quality is much better as we have not yet experienced any smog yet. Last yet, the PM2.5 was more than 300 g/m3. Toxic smoke mixed with fog causes smog and it persisted last October and November." A pollution officer said, "We are not against tradition; we are encouraging people to celebrate Diwali as the festival of lights. It is not a festival of crackers. Diwali should be celebrated with rangoli, lamps and lights."