Delhi air pollution spikes to 100 times WHO health limit • Hacker News Board

Re: Delhi air pollution spikes to 100 times WHO health limit

#21

Post by piku » Sun, Nov 05, 2023, 11:19 PM UTC

ghoomketu wrote: post #5

It's one thing to read about it but it was such a nightmare to actually live in Delhi. My eyes were constantly watery and some of my friends actually had trouble breathing. Last I went there the Delhi govt was using fire brigades to sprinkle water on trees in an effort to reduce it. Though my eyes had started burning within hours of landing. Maybe it was psychological. I am so much happier having moved to another par…

I also lived in Delhi for about 5 years before deciding it was too much and finally moved to Manali, I get paid about 1/5 of what I was making in Delhi but whatever!

Re: Delhi air pollution spikes to 100 times WHO health limit

#22

Post by MisterSandman » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 3:12 AM UTC

ganeshkrishnan wrote: post #19

parakalan wrote: post #17

I consider my respiratory system to be pretty healthy - I don't have breathing difficulties or sinusitis or any allergies - but it was so difficult visiting Delhi in February this year, which is not even the peak pollution month. I have no idea why some tech companies are still there.

> I have no idea why some tech companies are still there They are all in the suburbs in gurgaon , not in delhi per se, and for a very interesting reason: Gurgaon was the first city in India which allowed women to work night shift as long as the companies could guarantee their safety. This caused a boom in call center business and also their infamous "company vans" business shuttling call center employees from their h…

Gurgaon had basically the same AQI as Delhi, if not worse on same days. Doesn't really answer their question.

Re: Delhi air pollution spikes to 100 times WHO health limit

#23

Post by wodenokoto » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 4:05 AM UTC

tete wrote: post #20

wodenokoto wrote: post #14

> he air quality index in the city hit 500 – the highest the measurement will go and 100 times the limit deemed to be healthy by the World Health Organisation (WHO) From airnow.gov Daily AQI Color Levels of Concern Values of Index Green Good 0 to 50 Yellow Moderate 51 to 100 Orange Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101 to 150 Red Unhealthy 151 to 200 So it is 10 times the recommendation

> Red Unhealthy 151 to 200 I love when these things have a "to".

My air quality app has further descriptions:

    2-300: very unhealthy 
    3-500: hazardous.

Re: Delhi air pollution spikes to 100 times WHO health limit

#24

Post by RetroTechie » Tue, Nov 07, 2023, 6:54 PM UTC

huytersd wrote: post #18

whalesalad wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes although there is a growing movement towards “no till” farming where you just plant right on top of the old. https://regenerationinternational.org/2018/06/24/no-till-far...

I wonder why Indian farmers don’t do this. Is it just a passed down practice that they follow? Are there any downsides to just tilling it under? What’s the benefit of no till farming?

Tilling destroys the soil structure: fungal networks, plant roots, worms & their tunnels that provide aeration, etc. Mostly beneficial to plant growth.

But modern day farming doesn't work with nature. Instead prefers to start with 'clean' soil devoid of most of those critters. Including the beneficial ones. Tilling to loosen the soil, vs. letting the worms do it.

> Are there any downsides to just tilling it under?

Tilling is hard work & machinery to do it may not be available or affordable.

No tilling = remains of previous crop in the way. Or it may even regrow (partially?).

My guess: burning is simply an easy & quick way to remove those remnants. Not a smart way to farm, though.