Delhi govt issues health advisory: Things you can do to lower your risks from air pollution

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The national capital continues to witness thick smog cover as pollution levels escalate in the region, raising health concerns among residents, especially for people living with a lung condition. Even low levels of air pollution can affect lung health.

Smog, which is a form of air pollution, contains a pollutant called ozone and elevated ozone levels can have a variety of negative effects on your lungs. As per a long-term study linking urban pollution and lung disease, exposure to city smog can lead to an early grave. 

The air quality in the national capital has been “severe” as pollution levels touched a new high and with visibility dipping to 500-600 meters in many parts of the city.

As the national capital continued to battle its worst smog in 17 years, Delhi government has on Monday issued a health advisory asking people to avoid highly- polluted areas and cautioned those with asthma and lung ailments not to venture out for any activities.

The announcement comes on a day when the administration put into effect a number of measures, including halting of construction and demolition activities, starting of process of deregistration of 15-year-old diesel vehicles and imposition of ban on use of fire crackers.

In wake of excessive pollution, the Delhi Health Department has issued health advisory asking the residents to avoid visiting high pollution area. As per the advisory:

• Residents should avoid highly-polluted areas and adopt other measures.
• People with chronic airway diseases like bronchial asthma and lung diseases, should avoid outdoor activities including morning and evening walks.
• People with asthma and respiratory issues should use their regular medicine and inhalers.
• In case of breathlessness, giddiness, chest pain, chest constriction or irritation in eyes, etc, residents should visit the nearest hospital, dispensary or a physician.
• Keep washing your eyes with running water regularly.
• Don't get panic. Help the needy patients to seek medical help.
• Take plenty of fluids and Vitamin C rich fruits such as, oranges, lemons, etc.
• Do regular gargles with warm water.

As Delhi remains blanketed in thick layer of toxic air due to the worst smog the capital has witnessed in a season, cases of severe breathlessness, asthma and allergy have sharply risen in the city. Besides spike in fresh cases, doctors and experts say that health complications have aggravated in people having a history of asthma, allergy or other related ailments.

(With PTI inputs)