New Delhi Is the Smog Capital of the World. What Can Be Done?

Indians breathe some of the world’s most toxic air, and studies suggest it’s killing millions of them. Air pollution in New Delhi is especially deadly, and cold winter weather makes the smog even worse. In November, the city that’s home to about 30 million people once again saw air quality plummet to hazardous levels and a spike in hospitalizations, with children suffering some of the worst and most lasting damage.

With the national government seemingly incapable of addressing the problem, local leaders in the capital recently reached for a stopgap solution — trying to induce rain in an attempt to clear the air, with little success. For now, disillusioned citizens are resorting to expensive and largely ineffective solutions to curb their exposure to the pollution.