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Tuesday brought residents of the world's most polluted city encountered breathing extremely polluted air that fell into the "critical" range.

Record-Breaking Air Quality Measurements

Various sections of the capital registered an air quality index over 500, which equals a tenfold increase over the healthy threshold recommended by the WHO.

In some locations, readings of toxic particulate matter hit highs of 1,800, amounting to 15-20x above safe limits.

Fireworks Prohibition and Current Changes

For the past four years, officials had enforced a complete ban on the distribution and bursting of pyrotechnics during Diwali due to their major role to the dangerous smog that covers the city as winter begins.

Yet earlier this year, the recently formed local leadership approached the judicial authority to request a easing of the ban.

The suggestion was allowing "eco-friendly fireworks" – which have been criticized by environmental experts as being only roughly 30 percent less polluting – as a middle ground between "tradition and ecological concerns".

Legal Verdict and Reality

Much to the frustration of medical and ecological advocates, the court complied with the proposal, mandating that eco-friendly pyrotechnics could be set off during limited time windows throughout the Diwali.

During the celebrations, there was considerable disregard of the regulated periods across the capital, with minimal enforcement regarding whether the fireworks being used were actually the more environmentally friendly version.

Many air quality sensors throughout the capital showed pollution reaching highest levels around late evening to some of the worst levels recorded during Diwali in at least the past three years.

Regional Implications

The widespread use of fireworks during the celebrations also triggered a blame game with neighbouring Pakistan, with authorities in Pakistani Punjab partly blaming worsening air quality in the city of Lahore on pollutants traveling from neighboring India following the celebrations.

Persistent Environmental Crisis

Alarmingly severe levels of pollution in the city have continued as a major challenge for over a decade and a half, with the problem continuing to worsen.

Around Diwali, the levels of hazardous particles in the environment has been found to shoot up to 70% higher the most severe records ever measured in China's capital, which was formerly considered as the planet's dirtiest city.

Various Pollution Factors

The problem in the capital is caused by a mix of multiple factors including heavy vehicle emissions, construction debris, construction activities, garbage fires and smoke from farm burning in neighbouring regions of farming communities.

Within these states, agricultural workers regularly ignite agricultural waste to prepare for next season, producing toxic pollution that then gets trapped over the capital as winter air arrives.

Public Health and Financial Impact

Public health and economic consequences on the nearly 33 million people residing in the Delhi area is substantial, according to multiple research.

This pollution leads to increased incidence of nervous system, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and can even lead to cancer.

Air quality crisis is estimated to be causing 10,000 premature deaths per year in the city.