Diwali, the festival of lights, brings joy and celebration, but it also brings a surge in air pollution that poses significant health risks, especially for infants. The smoke from firecrackers contains harmful pollutants that can severely impact babies' developing lungs and respiratory systems.

Why Festive Smoke is Harmful

Infants are particularly vulnerable to air pollution due to their higher breathing rate relative to their body weight, meaning they inhale more pollutants per kilogram compared to adults. Their respiratory systems are still developing, and their airways are narrower, making them more susceptible to irritation and inflammation. According to Dr. Anamika Dubey, Neonatologist at Rainbow Children's Hospital, babies breathe faster and take in more air relative to their body weight, making them particularly susceptible to pollution-related damage.

The pollutants released from firecrackers include fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals like arsenic and lead. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and damaging the delicate lining of the respiratory tract, which reduces the lungs' ability to filter air. Studies have shown that PM2.5 levels can rise dramatically during Diwali nights. A study by researchers at IIT Delhi found that PM2.5 levels rise nearly 16 times during Diwali nights. The Delhi air quality study clearly showed that during Diwali, 95% of PM2.5 particles in the air come from firecracker emissions.

Exposure to these pollutants can trigger a range of short-term and long-term health problems in infants:

• Short-term effects: Coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and increased irritability.
• Long-term effects: Slowed lung growth, increased risk of respiratory allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and reduced lung capacity. Repeated exposure to firecracker smoke and city pollution can slow lung growth and raise long-term risks.

How Parents Can Protect Their Children

Protecting infants from festive smoke requires a multi-pronged approach:

1. Limit Outdoor Exposure: Keep babies indoors during peak firecracker hours, typically in the evening and at night. Avoid taking them outside when air quality is poor. If going outside is unavoidable, minimize the time spent outside and avoid where firecrackers are being lit.

2. Create a Clean Indoor Environment:

   • Air Purifiers: Use HEPA air purifiers in rooms where babies spend most of their time. Ensure the size of the purifier is appropriate for the room and clean filters regularly.
   • Keep Windows and Doors Closed: Shut windows and doors to prevent polluted air from entering the house.
   • Ventilate Carefully: If ventilation is needed, do it during early morning or late evenings when pollution levels are lower.
   • Indoor Plants: Introduce indoor plants like peace lilies or spider plants to help improve air quality. Ensure these are kept out of reach of newborns.
   • Wet Curtains: Using wet curtains on the windows can also help prevent dust and smoke from entering the house.
   • Monitor Air Quality: Stay informed about air quality index (AQI) levels using reliable apps or websites.
   • Hydration and Nutrition: Keep babies hydrated and well-fed to support their immunity. Breastfeeding ensures that an infant's immune system is enhanced. Antibodies in breast milk prevent respiratory infections, which occur more readily when air pollution levels are highest. Feed nutrient-rich foods to older infants to strengthen immunity.
   • Protective Clothing: If stepping out is necessary, cover babies with light cotton clothes.
   • Eye and Skin Care: Increased air pollution during Diwali can cause your baby's skin to become dry and his eyes to become red. Keep him hydrated regularly with baby moisturizer, and if he experiences eye irritation, consult a doctor and administer eye drops. Keep your baby away from smoky areas, as this can cause eye irritation and watering.
   • Avoid Irritants: Avoid using chemical mosquito repellents, mats, or coils in the baby's room; a physical mosquito net is the safest option.

By taking these precautions, parents can minimize the harmful effects of festive smoke on their infants and ensure a safer, healthier Diwali. Choosing cleaner celebrations and keeping babies protected can help ensure that the spirit of Diwali remains bright, not breathless.