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Waiting to inhale: Pioneer
New Delhi, June 08: Afine haze of dust continued to envelope the city on Saturday, adding to the misery of residents already being roasted by the searing hot conditions gripping the region. For although the dust cover kept sun rays from penetrating through to the earth, making for relatively cooler climes, the suspended particles in the air posed a significant health hazard to those constrained to be outdoors for an extended period of time.
New Delhi, June 08: Afine haze of dust continued to envelope the city on Saturday, adding to the misery of residents already being roasted by the searing hot conditions gripping the region. For although the dust cover kept sun rays from penetrating through to the earth, making for relatively cooler climes, the suspended particles in the air posed a significant health hazard to those constrained to be outdoors for an extended period of time.
This was, expectedly, especially true for those suffering from chronic respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis, who are being advised by medical experts to avoid stepping out in the prevailing weather conditions and, if necessary, seek preventive medicine. Those who have asthmatic tendencies too need to be cautious, as they may well develop full-blown asthma by breathing in the dust-laden environment right now. "They should keep their nose covered with a wet handkerchief while going outdoors, if not indeed avoid it altogether," says Dr K K Aggarwal, Vice President, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI).
Asthma is a chronic, reversible, manageable inflammatory airway obstructive disease. In the existing weather conditions, the disease can get severe if precautionary measures are not taken. In Delhi, an estimated 15 lakh people are asthmatic, with many more suffering asthmatic tendencies.
The other category at risk in the present conditions are pregnant women. As Dr Snehlata, senior gynaecology specialist at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital says: "Any exposure to the dust haze may create respiratory problems to women who happen to be in the family way. In extreme cases, they should consult a doctor to ensure that the foetus is not affected," she said.
"For them it will be suicidal to venture outdoors. It is advisable that they take proper care to avoid acute problems," agrees Dr Asha Aggarwal, a gynaecologist at Kasturba Gandhi Hospital.
If they must go out, say experts, try wear nasal filters so that the suspended dust particles don't enter the body.
Even otherwise-healthy people may develop eye and nose irritation if exposed to the dust haze for an extended period of time. "If possible, one should avoid going outside frequently. In case one feel any respiratory problem, consult a doctor immediately," says Dr Boby Malhotra, Consultant, Chest Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Meteorological Department officials on Saturday said the dusty winds coming from Rajasthan have led to a rise in temperature. "The light downpour on Thursday brought humidity, which will continue for another day or two," an official said.
The minimum temperature on Saturday was recorded 35 degrees Celsius, seven degrees above normal. On friday, the minimum temperature was 30.2 degrees Celsius and the maximum 43.1.
The dust haze has also taken its toll on the morning walkers. "It is very difficult to breathe comfortably in all this dust, making morning walks a tough exercise," says Jyoti Singh, a resident of Shahpurjat.
"I have dropped the idea of morning walks until the weather improves. We have also discontinued the post dinner stroll, as the dust doesn't settle even late in the night," said M Singh, a yoga teacher.
This was, expectedly, especially true for those suffering from chronic respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis, who are being advised by medical experts to avoid stepping out in the prevailing weather conditions and, if necessary, seek preventive medicine. Those who have asthmatic tendencies too need to be cautious, as they may well develop full-blown asthma by breathing in the dust-laden environment right now. "They should keep their nose covered with a wet handkerchief while going outdoors, if not indeed avoid it altogether," says Dr K K Aggarwal, Vice President, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI).
Asthma is a chronic, reversible, manageable inflammatory airway obstructive disease. In the existing weather conditions, the disease can get severe if precautionary measures are not taken. In Delhi, an estimated 15 lakh people are asthmatic, with many more suffering asthmatic tendencies.
The other category at risk in the present conditions are pregnant women. As Dr Snehlata, senior gynaecology specialist at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital says: "Any exposure to the dust haze may create respiratory problems to women who happen to be in the family way. In extreme cases, they should consult a doctor to ensure that the foetus is not affected," she said.
"For them it will be suicidal to venture outdoors. It is advisable that they take proper care to avoid acute problems," agrees Dr Asha Aggarwal, a gynaecologist at Kasturba Gandhi Hospital.
If they must go out, say experts, try wear nasal filters so that the suspended dust particles don't enter the body.
Even otherwise-healthy people may develop eye and nose irritation if exposed to the dust haze for an extended period of time. "If possible, one should avoid going outside frequently. In case one feel any respiratory problem, consult a doctor immediately," says Dr Boby Malhotra, Consultant, Chest Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Meteorological Department officials on Saturday said the dusty winds coming from Rajasthan have led to a rise in temperature. "The light downpour on Thursday brought humidity, which will continue for another day or two," an official said.
The minimum temperature on Saturday was recorded 35 degrees Celsius, seven degrees above normal. On friday, the minimum temperature was 30.2 degrees Celsius and the maximum 43.1.
The dust haze has also taken its toll on the morning walkers. "It is very difficult to breathe comfortably in all this dust, making morning walks a tough exercise," says Jyoti Singh, a resident of Shahpurjat.
"I have dropped the idea of morning walks until the weather improves. We have also discontinued the post dinner stroll, as the dust doesn't settle even late in the night," said M Singh, a yoga teacher.