Faridabad/ Alive News: With the recent celebration of Diwali as well as the ongoing stubble burning that is taking place in the neighboring areas, has led to Delhi-NCR being engulfed in toxic smoke. The arrival of winter has led to a drop in temperature, causing the fog to combine with the smoke resulting in the formation of a less transparent, visible air pollutant i.e. smog. Due to high levels of pollution, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has stated that Delhi is in a state of “public health emergency”. Over this, Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, Consultant, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad told about air pollution and how we can protect ourselves from its harmful effects.
Harmful effects of Smog
Dr Shekhar Jha says that smog can lead to the onset of allergies or aggravate already existing allergies and decrease in Lung Immunity. It might be instrumental in causing premature birth and cause decrease in the lung function in all age groups. He says that it might aggravate pre-existing lung and cardiac functions along with uncontrollable or chronic coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Preventive measures
Dr Shekhar says people should avoid going outdoors along with doing physical activities like cycling, jogging or any other outdoor exercises. N95 masks should be used if it is absolutely necessary to go out. Air Purifying plants such as Aloe Vera, Ivy and Spider Plant can be placed in the home and offices. To ensure that indoor air pollution does not take place make sure there is a chimney in the kitchen and an exhaust in the bathroom. Consume Fruits rich in Vitamin C, Magnesium, Foods rich in Omega Fatty Acids and have Herbal Ginger & Tulsi tea.
Air pollution poses a major health risk and can cause stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases. According to the WHO, 92% of the world’s population lives in areas where the air quality is below the WHO standards. 88% of premature deaths occur in the low- and middle-income countries, where air pollution is escalating at an alarming rate. According to UNICEF, 1 in 7 children are breathing polluted air. Governments and civil society bodies need to join hands to fight air pollution in a systematic and strategic manner.
