In the last 7 days, Air Quality Index prepared by the US Embassy has marked pollution levels in 9 major points in Delhi under ‘unhealthy’ category
Sudha Arora, 33, has stopped going for her daily morning jog. A regular jogger from the last ten years, Arora has been experiencing frequent breathlessness in the last few days. The transition in weather from summer to winter is causing discomfort to many in the city. “I cannot run for more than ten minutes. This has been happening for quite a while now. There is sudden breathlessness and I feel congestion in my chest throughout the day,” said Arora, a resident of Anand Vihar.
In last one week, quality of air in Delhi has deteriorated. The sudden dip in the temperature has aggravated the respiratory ailments among the people. The Air Quality Index (AQI) which is prepared by US Embassy in Delhi, provides data from the Embassy and Consulate air quality monitors, along with additional data from Government of India and local government monitoring stations in New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
The agency has marked the pollution levels in nine major points in the capital under ‘unhealthy’ category in the last seven days. Even on Saturday, the AQI at Anand Vihar was recorded at 373 at 5 pm, which means the air in the area is ‘hazardous’ for the people living in and visiting the area.
The agency’s definition of ‘hazardous,’ specifies: “Serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; serious risk of respiratory effects in general population. To put that in a better perspective, any reading above 150 is considered unhealthy, with the range 351-500 classified as ‘hazardous’.
Experts in the city have started witnessing a steep rise in the number of cases of asthma, lung infections and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
“In the last one week, the cases have gone up immensely. The numbers are on the higher side as compared to the last year. Also, the pollution levels have also gone up suddenly. The weather is dusty and people who already have a history of respiratory illness are having a tough time,” said Dr Raj Kumar, head of department, pulmonology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute.
Experts have advised the patients to take precautionary measures. “Newborn and elderly should stay alert and take preventive measures. The weather is going to be worse in next three to five days,” said Dr KK Sethi, Chairman and Managing Director of the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute.
Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.
“Carrying an inhaler has become a must in this weather. There is dust in the air which is also causing irritation in the throat,” said Sukbir Singh, resident of West Delhi. Singh was diagnosed with asthma three years back and since then Delhi’s high pollution level gives him a tough time every year.
“One should cover their face while travelling. Even staying indoors is not safe as the suspended particles enter through windows,” says Dr JC Suri, HOD, Pulmonary Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Air Quality")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}