With winter about to set in, the discussion over air pollution is back. In recent years, unmitigated levels of pollution in northern India, especially the National Capital Territory have been a cause of concern for healthcare specialists. Day-long smogs and haziness have become a regularity in Delhi during the last quarter of every year. The menace is back again and you should be very worried. This year, a lot more is at stake. This year, the danger is more acute. Let us get to the bottom of this yearly hazard.
Indian cities are some of the most polluted in the world because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels and inadequate filtering measures adopted by our factories. This is a common problem among all developing nations because they are reluctant to switch to clean and renewable energy as this will supposedly slow down production rates.
But Delhi’s pollution levels are worse than the rest of India’s during the October, November and December periods. And the primary reason behind that is –
The farmers of UP, Haryana, and Punjab, Delhi’s neighbours, set fire to the rice stubbles in the fields after the crops have been harvested. For them, this is a fast and cheap method of clearing away the fields and preparing them for the next planting season. But the stubble burning (estimated 35 million tonnes) continues for days and spews toxins and pollutants into the air. The winter wind currents blow the pollutants straight into Delhi.
Winter air usually locks in pollutants and dust particles, which is why pollution levels are naturally high in winters. So the particles blowing in from Delhi’s neighbouring states get trapped in Delhi’s air and every new day adds more to the pollution level.
Delhi has more registered vehicles in India than any other city. The exhaust emitted by the hundreds of thousands of vehicles makes the situation worse.
Adding to the woes is the complete disregard for the Supreme Court ban on most types of fireworks. Diwali usually coincides with the crop-burning and this causes irreparable damage to the air quality.
Delhi is grappling with a severe air pollution crisis that is resulting in a staggering reduction of life expectancy by 11.9 years, as revealed by a recent study. The findings based on PM2.5 levels.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Since October this year, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is firmly in the ‘very poor’ zone. The PM10 level has been hovering around 370 and the level for PM2.5 has been around 229. Experts fear that this is going to worsen very soon, especially around the time of Diwali.
The Delhi Government has announced pollution to be a health emergency in Delhi because it has affected the health of more than 20 million people in the NCT. Surveys by reputed organizations revealed that 10,000-30,000 people in Delhi die because of health complications caused by air pollution.
This year the problem is more grave. Pollutants weaken our respiratory system. This makes a person more susceptible to deadly COVID infections. It also increases the risk of post-COVID complications such as lung damage.
The Union Government has effected a new pollution law and has created a new commission that will research methods to scale down air pollution. The government is looking for ways to enhance inter-sectional and inter-state collaboration so that the problems can be jointly tacked.
In the meantime, we, the common folks can do our part by avoiding fireworks. We should avail of public transport instead of traveling by private cars. Farmers too need to wake up to the fact that they may be ruining the environment. Agriculturists have urged the government to provide farmers with Waste Decomposers which will speedily convert stubble into manure.
Air pollution is a severe problem in India and it is time when we all became aware. Without active participation from citizens, there will be no solution to this hazard!
Delhi can’t breathe! The thick grey haze that has enveloped the National Capital Territory has left the whole of India worried. Recently, Delhi’s Air Quality Index shot up to 498 (very severe). Bad air quality can adversely affect the health of people. Delhi is in the middle of a climate emergency.
What has triggered it? And how can the residents of Delhi save themselves from pollution? Read on to find out.
The primary cause of Delhi’s ‘hazard’ levels of pollution is the burning of stubble (the stalks of the crops after they are harvested) in agricultural fields. This happens extensively in Delhi’s neighbouring states, Punjab and Haryana. The wind carries the thick smoke from burning stubble towards Delhi and worsens its air quality.
A few other factors causing pollution in Delhi are-
The risk of death significantly increases with long term exposure to polluted air. For instance, people susceptible to heart diseases are at higher risk.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Delhi’s pollution levels are indeed a health emergency. Every year during November and December, Delhi’s PM2.5 (pollutant particles with a radius of 2.5 micrometres) level hovers around 300 – the normal range of PM2.5 level is 0-50. This puts Delhi in the ‘severe’ category when it comes to air pollution.
These particles directly enter our bloodstream through the lungs and cause severe damage. PM2.5 concentration in Delhi is currently 29.2 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value
It may also lower people’s immunity and increase the risk of diabetes, heart disorders, lung diseases and epilepsy.
According to the World Health Organisation, the rising levels of pollution is responsible for nearly one-third of the cases of stroke, heart disorders and lung cancers in Delhi.
Both short- and long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide range of diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trachea, bronchus and lung cancers, aggravated asthma and lower respiratory infections. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, organs and immune systems are still developing.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Air pollution is also linked to lung damage and limited lung function. Air pollution can also have an inflammatory effect on the heart – it can elevate blood pressure and aggravate pre-existing conditions of the heart.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
We can implement the following tips to minimise our exposure to pollution:
Consult a doctor if you experience symptoms like –
Air pollution in Delhi poses a risk to everyone. Adopt the precautionary measures mentioned above to keep yourself safe from pollution’s harmful effects. People with pre-existing respiratory illnesses (asthma, COPD, pneumonia, etc), pregnant women and newborns need extra care and protection from pollutants.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
