NEW DELHI
The air quality in the national capital from Friday to Saturday morning went from 242 to 276 both assessed as “poor”, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India).
According to EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) when air quality is in this range, any individual who is active outdoors may experience the respiratory effects described above. Members of sensitive groups are likely to experience more severe effects. EPA’s risk assessment (Whitfield et al., 1996) indicates that at this level for healthy individuals (adults and children) at moderate exertion: 1) approximately 30% are estimated to experience moderate or greater lung function impairment, 2) approximately 15% are estimated to experience large or greater lung function impairments, and 3) approximately 5% are estimated to experience moderate to severe respiratory symptoms (i.e., chest pain with deep inspiration and aggravated cough).
“AQI 276 is quite unhealthy and at this value, the American Lung Association gives an advisory of staying indoors. There is an increased risk for everyone at this value, especially for older people and people with chronic and respiratory diseases,” Dr Neetu Jain, Pulmonologist, said. Responding to the kind of complications one can face if one already has chronicle lung infection Dr Jain said, “Health hazards for those who have pre-existing lung problems, their problems be aggravated, especially patients who have asthma, COPD, or ILD, a lot of these people come to us with acute exacerbation, which means that they require a higher dose of medication, they require more regular follow-ups, they may require admission to hospital, and some of them also land in ICU, all because of pollution”
People in Delhi are losing lives by 10 to 15 years and the mortality rate has increased because of such high levels of air pollution, and it has been seen in China also once upon a time when Beijing was the most polluted city, she added.
Air pollution can not only lead to breathing-related issues, but can also lead to several skin disorders. According to the research paper Air pollution and skin disorders, Air pollution is being shown to play an increasing causation role in our most common skin diseases. Acne, hyperpigmentation, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis have been shown to be influenced by air pollution. The reports say that the winter air contains carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter), and sulphur oxides released by various combustions like food and factories. There are two effects Long-term effects are yet to be found, but short-term effects say it does damage the skin which may lead to faster aging known as photoaging, and wrinkling skin there is also black sport on the skin known as melasma. If it penetrates your skin it can lead to acne skin eczema and underlying Psoriasis. It is one of the reasons for rising incidents of skin cancer, Dr. Sarvesh Thatte, Consultant Dermatologist, said. Coming to the health of newborns, Dr Sameer Punia, Consultant & paediatrician, said, “When kids when born in pollute environments, are more prone to get recurrent respiratory infections like frequent pneumonia or asthma.” Though, recent reports by the WHO stated that, pollution has been linked to premature birth, neurodevelopment and cognitive ability, and even chronic cardiovascular diseases.