Pollution tightens its grip over National Capital Region
Diwali – festival of celebration or suffocation
Rise in respiratory diseases
The National Capital which has been tagged as the most polluted city in the world by WHO is still suffocating under the pressures of increased emissions and pollutants. The upcoming festival of Diwali is bound to increase health issues and respiratory ailments. The festival of lights can very well become the festival of suffering for those ailing with Asthma.
Dr. Gyan Bharti Consultant – Pulmonology, at Max Hospital Patparganj advises “There has been a significant increase in children suffering from Asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory disorders. Some children suffer excessively during the Diwali season, particularly if they are suffering from above diseases. Parents should be made aware that buying crackers for their children can actually be a health hazard for them in the coming future.”
Last year, Max Patparganj saw, an alarming increase in cases of children and adults coming in emergency department with respiratory diseases during Diwali time. This year they are expecting same increase if we are not going to learn lesson from last year.
The national capital has the highest concentration of PM2.5 — particulate matters less than 2.5 microns– form of air pollution, which is considered most serious and can cause respiratory diseases and other health problems.
Dr. Praveen Pandey Senior Consultant, Pulmonology at Max Patparganj advises, “ Avoid Fire crackers this Diwali, not only for safe guarding your health but also for your near and dear ones, who may be suffering with underlying respiratory diseases and the exposure to alarming rise in toxic levels of pollutants and emissions during this season may be a cause of hospitalization and death to them.”
Even healthy people may suffer from Eye irritation, coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. The reason is that crackers contain 75% potassium nitrate, 15% carbon and 10% sulphur, and when they are burnt, harmful gases such as sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, manganese and even cadmium, are released, which irritate the delicate airways of lungs and worsen the condition of people with pulmonary diseases.
Doctors say that it is crucial to have an intake of nutritious diet consisting of home cooked meals, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Five years ago, out of the 100 patients only 7-8 people suffered from sinusitis but now we see at least 50 out of 100 suffering from sinusitis.
Post-Diwali, people suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and breathing disorders queue up in hospitals as they do not adhere to the precautionary measures prescribed by doctors. People should avoid being too close to burning fire crackers and avoid smoke.