Firecracker smoke from Deepavali triggers breathing trouble and airway irritation

Just a few hours of breathing firecracker smoke during Deepavali can cause coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing. This smoke affects people who already have asthma or other breathing problems the most. But the damage is not limited to those with existing health issues. High levels of tiny particles and harmful gases can irritate the airways in anyone who breathes them in.

Context

The Air Quality Index converts pollutant levels into a single number to show how dirty the air is and what health risks it brings. In India, the Central Pollution Control Board works out this index using eight different pollutants, including fine particles like PM2.5 and PM10, along with gases such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.