Pollutants Can lead to... Suspended Particulate Matter : Asthma, cancer, restrictive lung diseases, pneumoconiosis Respirable Particulate Matter : Respiratory illness (chronic bronchitis and asthma), heart diseases SO2 : Eye burning, headache, respiratory problems like pulmonary emphysema, cancer, heart diseases Nitrous Oxides : Lung irritation, chest tightness, viral infection, airway resistance

—Crackers like "phuljari" and "anar" contain highly toxic heavy metals like cadmium, lead, copper, manganese and zinc
—Others have arsenic, mercury, chromium and iron oxides which lead to severe pollution after they are burnt
—According to the Central Pollution Control Board, 95 per cent of the crackers available in the market violate noise and air pollution norms.
—Thanks to crackers, pollution levels of Delhi rose to 10 times the permissible limit on Diwali day 2002.

Why air pollution hits children harder
— They breathe more relative to their body weight and surface area
— They spend more time outside, especially during the day, when pollution levels are highest
— They are 3 times more active than adults when outside
— They are closer to the ground and hence inhale more automobile exhaust and heavy pollutants
— Their smaller airways are more easily obstructed when irritated
— They breathe more through the mouth, which reduces filtration
effectiveness, and allows more particles into the lungs
— Their lungs are still developing
— They are less likely than adults to recognize when they are being affected, and less able to avoid exposure