As air turns toxic, hospitals see risein respiratory cases

Hospitals in Delhi have registered a sharp increase in the number of people complaining of breathing difficulties and respiratory ailments amid a spike in the city’s air pollution levels, with doctors increasingly advising them to wear face masks and avoid visiting polluted areas.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category for a third straight day on Wednesday, with the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) standing at 353 at 4 p.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The worst affected by air pollution are children and older adults due to their weaker immune systems and reduced lung capacity besides persons living with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart conditions. “Apart from the vulnerable population, which is highly sensitive to pollutants and more likely to experience severe flare-ups, we have the otherwise healthy individuals reporting coughing, wheezing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath from the extreme spike in pollution,’’ Anil Bansal, a member of the Delhi Medical Association, said, adding that now it is the elderly population that seems to be the worst hit with rising cases of pneumonia and respiratory failure.

According to doctors, people must minimise the time spent outdoors during peak pollution hours, especially in the evening and early morning hours, wear masks when going out to filter out fine particulate matter, use air purifiers with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters, and keep windows and doors sealed to prevent polluted air from entering homes. Additionally, staying hydrated and consulting a doctor before taking medicines are also important, they said.