Air pollution levels in Indian cities rise sharply during Diwali due to firecrackers that release harmful pollutants like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). PM2.5 is especially dangerous as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, worsening conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. Children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing. To protect them, avoid bursting crackers, keep windows closed, use air purifiers, and wear N95 masks outdoors. Encourage indoor play, maintain hygiene, and ensure kids with pre-existing lung conditions take their medications correctly. Promoting cracker-less celebrations can help improve community health.
Every year, Indian cities see a massive rise in air pollution levels during Diwali. The firecrackers burst during the festival release many harmful pollutants into the air, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, PM2.5 and PM10 (fine, inhalable particulate matter suspended in the air).
PM2.5 refers to airborne particles that are about 2.5 micrometres in diameter, while PM10 is slightly larger at 10 micrometres. PM2.5 is especially dangerous because it is so small that it can get deep into your lungs and even into your bloodstream.
Diwali is a particularly bad time of year for patients with respiratory distress, especially children whose lungs are still developing.
According to pulmonologists, after Diwali, many patients with lung conditions experience flare-ups. This includes asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung infections. Many lung patients report experiencing symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and chronic cough and cold during and right after Diwali.
Even “green crackers” are not completely safe. They may reduce noise and some emissions, but they still emit gases and fine metal aerosols that can cause lung irritation, eye and skin reactions, and burns. From a health and safety perspective, it is best to avoid bursting firecrackers altogether.
The best way to protect your children’s lung health is to stop them from bursting crackers and from going out in the evenings when crackers are being burst. Especially if your child has a lung condition, it is necessary to ban crackers in your household.
Having said that, you probably cannot stop everyone in your vicinity from bursting crackers. When you go out, you will still be exposed to the surrounding pollution as the particulate matter stays suspended in the air. During these times, it is recommended to wear a well-fitted N95 mask. Parents should ideally follow this advice even if their kids do not have lung problems, to protect their delicate, developing lungs.
If your child has a pre-existing lung condition, ensure that they take their medicines at the correct time. Keep their medications and inhalers ready in case they experience any breathing difficulty.
At home, try to keep your windows closed during evenings and nights, or when crackers are being burst in the neighbourhood. Avoid lighting candles and diyas for long periods of time; you could switch to battery-operated diyas or electric fairy lights to reduce indoor air pollution. It would be a good idea to invest in an air purifier as well; make sure you clean and replace the filters regularly for optimum performance. During the mornings, open your windows and ventilate the rooms well.
As much as we emphasise letting children play outside, this may not be a good idea during Diwali. Try to keep your kids indoors in the evenings. Even with masks on, they will be exposed to a lot of smog. Instead, plan indoor activities for your kids: dance, yoga, or any other active form of indoor play. Vitamin C is beneficial for lung health, so make sure your kids take their supplements during Diwali. You could also give them warm soups and turmeric milk to soothe throat irritation.
Hygiene is even more important during this time of year. Make sure your kids wash their hands and face every few hours, especially as soon as they come home. During the festive season, when everyone gathers to celebrate, kids tend to pick up infections quickly. Combined with the stress on their little bodies from dealing with pollution, they become more vulnerable. You can consult your paediatrician or family doctor about whether your child needs booster vaccines for common infections.
There are also some long-term changes you could initiate to protect your children and your larger community from future air pollution. You could plant a garden around your home with air-purifying plants like spider plants, snake plants, and bamboo. You can keep these indoors as well. Taking this a step further, you could encourage your neighbourhood and local government to do the same, improving air quality on a larger scale.
You could also advocate for a “cracker-less Diwali” and initiate celebrations that focus on other aspects of this beloved festival like rangoli, lights, and togetherness.
Protecting children from post-Diwali air pollution is essential for their respiratory health. Reduce exposure to firecracker smoke, maintain good indoor air quality, and seek medical advice if breathing difficulties occur. Kauvery Hospital, with branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, offers expert healthcare to support your child’s respiratory well-being.
Firecrackers release gases and fine particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10. These pollutants can remain suspended in the air and contribute to poor air quality, particularly when weather conditions limit their dispersion.
Children’s lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their body weight than adults. Exposure to polluted air can irritate their respiratory system and worsen existing conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
PM2.5 consists of very fine airborne particles that can travel deep into the lungs. Exposure can irritate the respiratory tract and aggravate breathing problems, particularly in children with existing respiratory conditions.
Yes. Green crackers may reduce certain emissions compared with conventional firecrackers, but they are not pollution-free. They can still release gases and fine particles that may irritate children’s airways.
Keep children indoors when firecrackers are being burst, close windows and doors during periods of heavy smoke, and use an appropriate indoor air purifier. Avoid outdoor activities when local air quality is poor and follow medical advice for children with respiratory conditions.
A properly fitted N95 mask can help reduce exposure to airborne particles in suitable users. However, an effective fit may be difficult to achieve in young children. Mask suitability depends on the child’s age and ability to wear it safely. Masks should not replace avoiding polluted areas.
An air purifier with a suitable HEPA filter can help reduce airborne particles indoors when used in an appropriately sized room. Regular filter maintenance and keeping windows closed during periods of heavy outdoor pollution can improve its effectiveness.
Seek medical advice if a child develops persistent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or breathing discomfort after exposure to smoke. Severe breathing difficulty, bluish lips, unusual drowsiness or difficulty speaking because of breathlessness requires immediate emergency medical attention. Children with asthma should follow their prescribed action plan.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Radial Road & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Radial Road – 044 6111 6111 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Maa Kauvery Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 68011
