Air Quality Index In Delhi Touches New High - Stay Safe!

The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated way too much before the arrival of Diwali festival. The worst air quality was recorded this season on Sunday, 28th Oct’18 as a thick haze covered the national capital.

The Air Quality Index of the national capital was recorded at 381 which indicates an alarming situation. As per the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 to 50 is a 'good' condition, while 51 to 100 is 'satisfactory' and 200 is categorised as 'moderate'. From 201 to 300, the air is considered 'poor', and from 301 to 400, it turns into 'very poor'. When the AQI comes anywhere between 401 and 500, it is called a 'severe' condition, and unfortunately, Delhi is very close to breaching this mark.

The authorities have attributed the following reasons for this drastic dip in air quality index:

• Construction dust
• Vehicular pollution
• Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana

Diseases Caused by Pollution

This situation can cause several respiratory diseases and cardiac problems, which are mentioned below:

1. Asthma: Asthma is one of the most common diseases that is caused by external and internal air pollution. In this chronic disease, inflammation and blockage occur in the air passage of lungs. Asthma is caused by the Sulphur, Oxides, Nitrates, Particulate Matter, etc.
2. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Another chronic disease which is caused by air pollution is COPD. In this disease, the Alveoli, Air Sacs, and Air Passage become inflamed. People who work in mines, docks or quarries are most likely affected by this disease.
3. Lung Cancer: Presence of various carcinogens in the air may cause serious issues like pulmonary or lung cancer. In this disease, an uncontrolled growth of cells reduces the amount of oxygen in the lungs. It also affects the functionality of the lungs.
4. Cardiovascular Diseases: Breathing polluted air for a long time may lead to heart problems. Pollutants such as Nitrogen oxide, Carbon Monoxide, and Ozone mixed with bloodstream may damage the functionality of heart and lead to cardiovascular disease.
5. Threat to Pregnant Women and Newborns: Air pollution adversely affects the health of pregnant women. Breathing polluted air by pregnant women weakens the immune system of the unborn child.

Prevention of the above mentioned conditions:

1. You can use an N95 mask: The N95 mask is a protective respiratory mask, designed specifically to filter airborne particles. It may prevent you from inhaling minute particles that the air carries by acting as a protective barrier. It can significantly reduce your risk of contracting respiratory illnesses. Simply wear this mask over your nose and mouth while travelling. You can easily purchase it from your local pharmacy or at certain popular online stores.
2. Avoid travelling during the hours of heavy pollution: Traffic blocks, which tend to spike air pollution levels, are common during office hours in metropolitans and megacities. To guard yourself against the harmful impact of fuel and smoke emissions, you can choose to travel either just before or after the office rush hours.
3. Breathe in the fresh morning air: If you open the windows of your home every morning, it encourages the flow of fresh air. This allows all the settled dust particles and indoor pollutants to ventilate, thereby decreasing the level of pollutants in your home. This way you can breathe in fresh and pure air, as it is less contaminated during the early hours of the morning. Also, you can try placing an air purifier at home as it may trap contaminants through its replaceable filter, ensuring the quality of the air you breathe at home is healthy and free of pollutants.
4. Exercise at the right time: If you work out at the time of day when pollution levels are high, polluted air is drawn into your lungs at a higher rate since cardio-vascular exercises entail heavy and deep breathing. So, it’s a good idea to pick your workout time wisely. Just after sunrise is an ideal time since the pollution levels are at the lowest.
5. Consume food and beverages rich in antioxidants: Researchers have found that vitamin C deficiency may cause breathing and immunity-related problems. Regular consumption of berries, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, apples, plums, green tea, oranges, pomegranates, and lemon among other foods may help you in naturally overcoming health impacts of air and smoke pollution. These foods and beverages can help your body build a strong immune system. They may also prove to be powerful antioxidants that help prevent the onset of respiratory diseases.

Individual Steps To Decrease Pollution:

• Awareness of air pollution
• Use minimum number of firecrackers
• Plant as many trees as possible
• Use less electricity (conserve energy)
• Curb unbridled industrialization
• Reduce the use of personal vehicles
• Reduce the use of polyethene bags
• Do not burn the garbage and dump it at its fixed place

The air quality is likely to dip further as people will indulge in bursting crackers during Diwali festivities. The Supreme Court, however, has put a restriction on the timing of burning crackers (from 8 PM to 10 PM) and the national capital has also got a 72-Hour Pollution Forecast System recently, but it is no one but the people themselves who can keep the pollution under check. So, please follow the above mentioned measures to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.