As Delhi and its immediate National Capital Region (NCR) fights hazardous levels of air quality, a latest survey conducted by Local Circles has reported that the grim reality of health issues that prevail in each household in the region due to pollution. According to the report, at least one member in each household suffers from sore throats, asthma, headaches, and other diseases caused by air pollution.
This survey has reported that at least one member of the family suffers from sore throat or cough persistently for 75% of families in Delhi-NCR. More than half of the respondents have also complained of headaches. Moreover, nearly 50% of the respondents have family members suffering from asthma or any other breathing disorder caused by the toxic air. This is even when air quality in the capital goes worsening with 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to a dangerous level of 424, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board. The levels of PM2.5, representing fine particulate matter in the air, were 60 times higher than the daily limit recommended by the World Health Organization.
The health crisis seems to worsen with the reports of polluted households doubled in a month – another indicator of its increasing severity.
The hazardous conditions in Delhi-NCR have made residents adopt different coping strategies to protect their health. As indicated in the survey, 27% of the families have resorted to air purifiers, confined themselves indoors, or taken up immunity-boosting foods and drinks. To date, 16% of the families have temporarily shifted to cleaner areas. However, 27% of families admitted to merely tolerating the pollution without taking preventive measures.
In the face of the persistent pollution crisis, authorities have issued Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), wherein riding on diesel-powered vehicles has been prohibited, non-essential truck traffic has been prohibited, and instruction and work in schools and offices are now in online classes with work-from-home arrangement.
However, the measures have been criticized in their implementation phase. The Supreme Court expressed its displeasure over the delay by the Delhi government in invoking the Stage 4 restrictions, warning that such delays put at risk the public health. The court stated that the measures should be invoked immediately even when AQI levels go up between 300 and 400, underlining that the efforts to solve the pollution crisis need to be addressed before it becomes severe.
