Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul><li><keyword id="55910" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Pollution">Air pollution</keyword> in the city has hit the severe plus category with several parts recording a 1,000 above Air Quality Index (AQI).</li><li>Right now, stepping out in the <keyword id="2620149" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-air">Delhi air</keyword> is equal to smoking 33 cigarettes a day.</li><li>A public health emergency has been declared in the national capital.</li></ul>India’s National Capital <keyword id="66" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword> is choking. Air pollution in the city has hit the severe plus category with several parts recording a 1,000 above Air Quality Index (AQI). The Delhi government issued a public health emergency and has requested people to stay indoors as much as possible. Right now, stepping out in the Delhi air is equal to smoking 33 cigarettes a day. The visuals of the city paint a picture of helplessness and despair. <div type="Slideshow" msid="71888247" hostid="261" title="Shocking images of India's national capital Delhi breathing toxic air that is equal to smoking 33 cigarettes a day" firstImageMsid="71888248" slideCount="7"></div>

Shocking images of India's national capital Delhi breathing toxic air that is equal to smoking 33 cigarettes a day

Triggering fresh alarm over the city’s winter air quality, the draft IIT-Kanpur report has found "very high" levels of an extremely toxic group of 100 chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), emitted mainly due to incomplete combustion. 
 According to several past studies, <keyword id="1349320" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="PAH">PAH</keyword> levels had declined in the city after public transport switched to compressed natural gas (CNG) in 2001. But, as the study shows, those benefits have long been lost. 
 "Total PAH levels in winter are very high at 80 ng/m3... (although) comparison with annual standard is not advisable due to different averaging times," says the draft report that studied the sources and nature of <keyword id="66" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword>'s <keyword id="55910" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Air-Pollution">air pollution</keyword> during 2013 and 2014. The levels drop significantly to about 15 ng/m3 in summers. 
 
"In a broad sense, air is more toxic in winter than in summer as it contains a much larger contribution of combustion products," it says. 
The authors of the draft IIT-Kanpur report also assessed PAHs in fine pollution particles (PM 2.5) at various spots in the city, such as Okhla, Vasant Kunj and Rohini, and found a similar spike in levels during winters. The winter average of a PAH, benzopyrene, was found to be 8 ng/m3 as opposed to a safe standard of 1 ng/m3. The researchers assessed 14 such PAH compounds. 
 
The rise of PAHs comes after several studies had documented a fall in its levels after the CNG switch. For instance, a joint study by Central Pollution Control Board, IIT Delhi, University of Antwerp and other research institutions had found a reduction in total annual PAH concentrations from 38.2 ng/m3 in 1997 to 22.3 in 2000. 
 
By 2003, total average PAH concentrations had further dropped to 11.5 ng/m3 at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and 4.52 at Safdarjung. 
 
That report had said PAH concentrations were higher during late night and early mornings, thereby pointing at the link with the the movement of heavy vehicles from nearby states through Delhi. It had also said private diesel vehicles were contributing to PAH pollution. 
 "PAH is carcinogenic. Another study by JNU in 2008 had also found that PAH levels had started to rise again after falling due to the CNG implementation. The IIT Kanpur study reiterates the trend. Among vehicles, diesel contributes much more to PAH pollution than petrol," said Anumita Roychowdhury, head of Centre for Science and Environment (<keyword id="6367898" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="CSE">CSE</keyword>'s ) clean air campaign. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

Very high levels of toxic chemicals in Delhi air, says study

Besides creating respiratory issues like asthma, bronchitis, the deteriorating <keyword id="13001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pollution" source="Orion">pollution</keyword> level in the city is creating a slew of patients with watery eyes, itchy throat, doctors said here. Engulfed in thick toxic smog, the air quality index (AQI) on Friday plummeted to the "severe plus" category in several parts of the national capital. The air turned a dense grey as the AQI hovered around 500 in several parts of Delhi-NCR, which is a staggering 100 times higher than the limit considered healthy by the World Health Organization (WHO). "Of late in the OPD we are seeing almost a 50 per cent increase in the number of patients who are coming with watery eyes. Some also experience burning, itching and irritation in their eyes," Dr Anita Sethi, Director &amp; HOD ophthalmology, Fortis hospital Gurugram, told IANS. "Due to pollution we are getting several cases on a daily basis. As of now, we have 28 beds occupied, with 14 of those being in the ICU, and 2 patients on ventilators. These patients have reported a series of discomforting symptoms, which include itchy throats, burning eyes, and exacerbated allergies, along with congested lungs, added Dr. Ambarish Joshi Senior Pulmonologist, Primus Super Specialty Hospital. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revealed that pollution levels in <keyword id="66" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="Orion">Delhi</keyword> in October reached their worst since 2020, indicating a critical situation that demands urgent attention. The agency also states that prolonged exposure to <keyword id="55910" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-pollution" source="Orion">air pollution</keyword> can cause children to suffer from respiratory diseases. According to the doctors, the elderly, children and those with allergies are more vulnerable these days. Dr Sethi said the dry air of winter and the pollution increases the dryness of the eyes and makes them more sensitive to the particulate matter which is there in the air, causing a lot of burning, irritation and watering in the eyes. "Also, as this is a time of change of seasons so there is more pollen in the air. So those who are a little more prone to allergies are having a real increase in exacerbation of symptoms. "People with pre existing allergies, contact lens wearers, some of the young professionals who have very long hours at the computer and anyway have a little bit of a dry eye syndrome," could have a tough time. Doctors and authorities have urged Delhiites to take the necessary precautions, such as wearing masks and staying indoors whenever possible, to safeguard their health amidst this alarming pollution crisis. "The increasing levels of particulate matter in the air are negatively impacting respiratory health, making it imperative for individuals to remain vigilant and take steps to reduce their exposure to dust and pollutants to safeguard their well-being," Dr. Joshi said. "We urge everyone to wear masks when going outdoors and to avoid any strenuous exercise in open areas, especially those with COPD cases. Please venture outside only if it is absolutely necessary. Additionally, avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke is strongly advised, as it can exacerbate respiratory issues during times of compromised air quality," he noted. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/hp-omen-16-gaming-laptop-review/articleshow/104945732.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/hp-omen-16-gaming-laptop-review/articleshow/104945732.cms" target="_blank">HP Omen 16 laptop review – A powerful laptop with a fine display</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/india-q3-smartphone-shipments-apple-gains-34-pc-market-share-in-india/articleshow/104907807.cms">Smartphone shipments: Apple gains 34% market share in India as Samsung, Xiaomi decline</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/how-to-use-two-whatsapp-accounts-on-one-phone/articleshow/104641592.cms">How to use two WhatsApp accounts on one phone? A step by step guide</a>

You Searched For "Delhi air" and got 4 results

Shocking images of India's national capital Delhi breathing toxic air that is equal to smoking 33 cigarettes a day

Sanchita Dash

Very high levels of toxic chemicals in Delhi air, says study

BI India Bureau

Shocking images of India's national capital Delhi breathing toxic air that is equal to smoking 33 cigarettes a day

Delhi sees surge in number of people with eye, throat, respiratory issues

IANS

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides