Delhi’s air pollution levels have reached alarming heights, with toxicity levels reportedly 60 times higher than the safe limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This hazardous smog results from a combination of natural and human-made factors. Here’s the scientific explanation for the phenomenon

Scientific Causes of Smog in Delhi

a. Vehicular Emissions

• Delhi has a massive number of vehicles, contributing significantly to the release of NOx, CO, and unburned hydrocarbons. These pollutants react with sunlight to form secondary particles, worsening smog.

b. Industrial Pollution

• Factories and power plants around the city release large amounts of SO₂ and other harmful gases, which contribute to smog formation.

c. Crop Stubble Burning

• Farmers in nearby states burn agricultural residue to clear their fields, releasing massive amounts of PM2.5 and other pollutants that drift into Delhi due to prevailing winds.

d. Construction Dust

• Ongoing construction activities release fine dust particles into the air, adding to the particulate matter concentration.

e. Temperature Inversion

• During winters, a phenomenon called temperature inversion traps cold air near the surface, preventing pollutants from dispersing into the upper atmosphere. This leads to an accumulation of toxins in the air.

f. Weather Patterns

• Lack of wind and high humidity in winter allow pollutants to remain stagnant, contributing to the formation of smog.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi, the fire tragedy that claimed the lives of 12 children and shook the entire nation has now revealed a major lapse. It has come to light that there was a significant negligence in the fire incident at the Jhansi hospital. It is being reported that the multi-purpose fire extinguisher used to douse the fire at Jhansi Medical College’s ICU ward should not have been used in that area.

According to the information, only CO2-based fire extinguishers should be used in ICU or NICU wards. The fire in the SNCU ward, which started due to a short circuit in the switchboard, should have been extinguished using a CO2-based fire extinguisher.

It’s important to note that this horrific fire tragedy has claimed the lives of 12 children. However, the hospital administration is denying the death of 12 children, admitting to 10 deaths due to the fire but attributing the deaths of the other 2 children to different causes.

Reports suggest that the NICU ward had 6 nurses, other staff, and 2 female doctors present at the time of the incident. A spark caused by the short circuit in the switchboard ignited the fire. The flames quickly spread from the switchboard to the plastic covers on the machines in the ward, and as the plastic melted, the fire began dripping down and rapidly spread throughout the ward.

I’m truly sorry for the tragic loss and the confusion surrounding the details of this incident. It’s heartbreaking to think about the lives lost, and I hope the investigation brings clarity and accountability.