Indian capital Delhi is completely covered in smog this week as the pollution rises. People of Delhi are getting affected with the choking blanket of smog. Several men and women are gasping for breath in the emergency ward of Delhi hospital while waiting to be treated for the symptoms triggered by pollution. The number of patients at the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute has tripled says doctors of the institute.
The news is being broadcasted on all the Hindi Samachar channels to spread awareness and people are being asked to stay safe. A Shopkeeper Manoj Khati said that he has been diagnosed by chronic bronchitis. He also said that initially he dismissed his heaving cough but it gradually grew worse. The 46-year-old said “For three days I haven’t stopped coughing, I felt as though I would die,” as he waited to undergo further tests
Another doctor Mansi Verma who handles the emergency ward said that the hospital had seen a huge increase in the number of patients suffering from respiratory problems. The patients are being treated with steam inhalation or using nebuliser machines, which is used to provide immediate relief by administering drugs directly to the airways. “Most of the patients suffer from intense coughing and inflammation of the respiratory tract.” Mansi added.
“Despite the rise in emergency cases many of the worst health effects would not be seen for years to come” said Arvind Kumar who is a respiratory diseases specialist at the private Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. “Pollution kills you slowly” he added.
“The level of pollution and toxins we are exposed to today, Suppose if it continued for 10 days, then this would have shortened the life of every individual by several days or even several weeks. But that effect may not be noticed right now instead people may notice it many years later, so it’s not an immediate killer.”
Looking at such severe conditions the government should focus on curbing pollution with a long term plan instead of treating is as a taza khabar by declaring emergencies.
The Pollution Index as declared by WHO:
According to a survey conducted by World Health Organization Delhi is the world’s most polluted capital. The survey was conducted in 2014.
The fine pollution particles linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease that is levels of PM2.5 regularly topped 500 this week, at one point going over 1,000. PM2.5 levels between 301 and 500 are classified as “hazardous”and anything that’s over 500 is beyond the official index. The guidelines of the World Health Organization’s say 25 is the maximum level of PM2.5 that can be safe for anyone to be exposed to over a 24-hour period.
In Delhi, the local industry, coal-fired power plants and a growing number of cars on the roads are increasing the pollution of Delhi at a very high rate. The hike in the pollution of the Indian capital has lead to closure of schools.
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