Delhi air pollution: With the air quality index (AQI) remaining in the ‘very poor’ category, increasing the risks of health problems, especially respiratory problems, former director of AIIMS Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria, said on Wednesday that those with underlying respiratory ailments must be extra careful.
Guleria, who is also the chairman of internal medicine, respiratory and sleep medicine at Medanta The Medicity, noted that to some extent, increasing air pollution can be described as a public health threat as it will lead to an increase in symptoms and more people coming to the hospital.
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“When the AQI falls to the wrong category, it means two things – for those who have underlined chronic respiratory and cardiac diseases, their condition worsens and they need to be extra careful. Sometimes patients need to increase their medication if they are using a nebulizer,” Guleria told PTI.
He added that data from AIIMS and other centers shows that rising pollution levels are leading to emergency visits for children and adults with respiratory symptoms in the next 4-6 days.
“Air pollution can affect lung growth in children”
There is data to suggest that we have such high levels of pollution every year, and if the population is exposed to it, it can affect the growth of children’s lungs and predispose them to respiratory problems. It’s like people living in a non-stop smoking environment, Guleria said.
“Monitor AQI, wear an N95 mask”
A former director of AIIMS noted that those with underlying cardio-respiratory problems should monitor the AQI and come out only when the AQI is good. Stay at home. If you must go out, wear a mask. N95 mask is better than ordinary mask.
“Those who don’t have any underlying breathing or heart problems but are normal can have chest congestion, chest pressure and breathing difficulties – especially the young and the elderly can have trouble breathing.”
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When to exercise when pollution is increasing?
If someone has to go exercise, they should do it in the afternoon when the sun is out and when it’s warm to reduce ground-level pollution, Guleria says.
“Don’t go outside to exercise early in the morning or late at night because of the cold air. When the sun comes out, the pollutants on the ground are very high.”
Guleria also advised people to consult a doctor if they have any breathing problems, discomfort or cough.
New Delhi, Oct 22 (ANI): A view of the smog-covered area around the Akshardham Temple as the Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened to ‘Very Poor’ in New Delhi on Wednesday.
High levels of pollution can trigger heart attacks: Dr. Naresh Trehan
Meanwhile Dr. Naresh Trehan, chairman and MD of Medanta – The Medicity, said the recent rise in AQI above 500 is worrying as it has a serious impact on people with asthma, heart disease or hypertension.
“High levels of pollution caused by particulates and toxic gases can trigger heart attacks, strokes and respiratory problems,” Trehan said.
AQI levels
An AQI between 0 and 50 is “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.
Less pollution on Diwali this year: Rekha Gupta
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said her government was taking all necessary steps with ‘greater vigilance’ to curb pollution, adding, “Air pollution in the city on Diwali night was less this year than the previous year.”
“The gap before and after Diwali (between the average AQI) is less this year compared to the previous year, even though firecrackers were allowed this time,” Gupta said.
