Delhi Air Pollution: 5 Shocking Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

As winter arrives in India, usually around the time of the biggest celebration, Diwali, the air in Delhi thickens and turns brown, including visible pollutants. The air quality in the national capital deteriorates annually due to several factors, including crop stubble burning, vehicle emissions and industrial smoke.

The air pollution crisis presents a collection of surprising and alarming facts that highlight its serious impact on the health of residents, city infrastructure and the economy. Here is a list of five facts about Delhi’s air quality that may surprise you.

1. Red Fort is losing its red color and turning black: The signature red sandstone of the iconic 17th century Red Fort is slowly turning black, and the culprit is the city’s worsening air pollution. According to a joint study by Indian and Italian researchers published in the Heritage Journal, researchers found black crusts of pollutants building up on the walls of the monument.

2. Two lakh residents reported air pollution hospitalizations between 2022-24: More than 2 lakh Delhi residents were hospitalized for respiratory issues linked to air pollution between 2022 and 2024, according to a report citing data from six central hospitals. In 2024 alone, more than 68,000 cases of acute respiratory illness (ARI) were reported in Delhi.

3. Air pollution has resulted in lung damage for millions of children: poor air quality in cities has caused irreversible lung damage About 2.2 million children. This long-term exposure can also lead to chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and increase the risk of cardiovascular and neurological diseases later in life.

4. It’s fast-growing residents: Delhi pollution is accelerating the physical aging process. The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that clogs residents’ lungs also penetrates deep into the skin layers, resulting in inflammation, oxidative stress and collagen breakdown.

“The tiny particles in air pollution are called particulate matter (PM). This will penetrate deeper skin layers and cause inflammation, giving darker spots and a dull appearance. Exposure to air pollution over time is likely to compromise the natural barrier that the skin has, causing it to become dehydrated and irritated, thus causing dehydration and irritation,” Dr. Gurugram said. According to a report in 2024 now.

5. Microplastics in the air: A recent report has revealed that microplastics—tiny plastic particles invisible to the naked eye—are present in Delhi’s air year after year. It found that Delhi adults inhaled almost twice as many microplastic particles in winter (10.7 daily) as in summer (21.1 daily), a jump of 97%. Adults in Delhi may be exposed to between 1,935 and 5,621 microplastic particles annually.

Also read: Delhi to move Supreme Court to allow certified green crackers on Diwali