New Delhi’s toxic haze lingers

India’s capital New Delhi was shrouded in a toxic haze for the second straight day yesterday, and visibility dropped due to cooler temperatures and lower wind speeds that let deadly pollutants hang in the air.

The air quality index crossed 400 on a scale of 500, indicative of “severe” conditions that pose a risk for healthy people and can seriously impact those with existing diseases.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The index measures the concentration of deadly pollutant PM2.5 - tiny particles that can enter the bloodstream. Chronic exposure to such pollutants can contribute to the risk of developing diseases such as lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization.

Federal pollution control officials were tracking the air quality status, Prashant Gargava, member secretary at the Central Pollution Control Board, told Reuters.

The board falls under the federal environment ministry.

Under an emergency action plan, authorities shut down brick kilns and halted all construction activity during the day.

During the last two months, the capital’s 20 million residents have breathed “moderate” to “satisfactory” air only for four days, according to a record of official data compiled by Reuters.