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Delhi Pollution: When Is It Safe To Be Out?
SummaryDr Vivek Nangia, a Gurugram-based pulmonologist and a member of DocTube explains the correct time to be out when the pollution is not at its peak and shares tips to protect yourself amid rising pollution.
Polluted air is the single largest, invisible environmental risk that is hazardous to human health. As per the State of Global Air 2020 report, it resulted in 6 million deaths globally, out of which 1.6 million deaths were in India alone.
Dr Vivek Nangia, a Gurugram-based pulmonologist and a member of DocTube explains that while these deaths occurred due to stroke, heart attack, lung diseases, and neonatal diseases, they all were attributable to poor air quality. The number has increased by 115.3% from 1990. These deaths are three times more than the deaths that are caused by HIV, tuberculosis and malaria put together and 25 times more than all deaths from wars and all forms of violence, he notes.
Another study notes that air pollution resulted in the reduction of average life expectancy of individuals by 5.3 years and in Delhi, it is reduced by 11.9 years.
Delhi AQI today stands at 500 in the "severe" category. Three days ago, Lahore recorded an AQI of 1900, it still remains beyond 1000. Pakistan is blaming the easterly winds from Amritsar and Chandigarh for spiking Lahore's AQI. "The wind from India towards Lahore…is taking the smog to dangerous levels and the wind is likely to sustain its direction for at least next week… People should take care of themselves by avoiding unnecessarily coming out of their houses. The elderly and children should be particularly careful…," said Maryam Nawaz.
Is There A Right Time To Be Out?
"Pollution levels tend to be slightly lower in the afternoon," says Dr Nangia. In India's five biggest cities, PM2.5 air pollution is highest in the morning and lowest in the afternoon. As per a 2023 study by an air filter brand, Delhi's air pollution peaked at 9AM and gradually improved as the day progressed. On an average, Delhi sees roughly as half as much PM2.5 by 5PM. Similarly, in Kolkata, the pollution peaks at 8am and is lowered by 4PM. In Mumbai, the peak comes at 9am and is improved by 4pm. In the case of Chennai and Hyderabad, the peak comes at 8am with Pm2.5 at the lowest at 3pm or by noon. "However, it is vital to wear well-fitted masks," the doctor suggests.
Is It Safe At Night?
Noon is when the sun is at its peak, it heats the ground and causes warm air to rise and mix with the atmosphere. This helps to disperse pollutants. However, at night, the ground cools down and leads to a temperature inversion. This means that air neat ground becomes colder than the air above it, trapping pollutants close to the surface.
What Can You Do To Protect Your Health?
Dr Nangia provides a list of Do's and Dont's to protect yourself against air pollution and smog:
- Stay indoors or at least restrict their outdoor movements to only bare essential activities
- Totally avoid strenuous physical work/exercise outdoors
- Avoid going for morning walks until it's bright and sunny outside.
- Avoid travelling during peak hours
- Wear a mask when going out. N95 or N99 masks provide protection from 95% and 99% of PM 2.5 particles respectively. Although they do not provide protection against the toxic gases.
- If you are suffering from Asthma or COPD, then visit your doctor to understand drugs to be used in an emergency.
- Quit smoking
- Keep your environment clean
- Don't let car engine idle and avoid open-air burning.
- Keep windows of your cars rolled up
- Car pooling is an option
- Use Public transport (Underground Metros)
- Don't use pesticides and other chemicals on your lawn and garden.
- Support laws that aim to improve air quality.
- Avoid fossil burning
- Keep indoors clean
- Air Purifying plants such as palm, ficus, Aloe Vera, Ivy and Spider Plant can be placed in the home and offices.
- Ensure there is a chimney in the kitchen and an exhaust in the bathroom to throw out the toxic air
- Avoid incense sticks, lighting candle and diyas inside the houses.
- Consume Fruits rich in Vitamin C, Magnesium , Foods rich in Omega Fatty
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