Delhi’s Smog Crisis: Health Emergency Amidst Toxic Air Pollution

Delhi Faces Severe Air Pollution Crisis

In New Delhi, air pollution is at dangerously high levels. A 64-year-old man, Deepak Rajak, recently experienced worsening asthma symptoms. His daughter took him to a specialist clinic to seek help due to his declining health. “It’s impossible to breathe,” he said after a bus ride. Rajak is one of many people affected by the hazardous air.

The Ram Manohar Lohiya Hospital has a clinic dedicated to treating patients with pollution-related illnesses. Since late last month, toxic smog has covered the city. This thick smog disrupts daily life, blocking buildings, grounding flights, and posing serious health risks to residents.

As of last week, air quality in Delhi has been marked as the worst globally, causing Chief Minister Atishi to declare a “medical emergency.” Schools closed, and residents were advised to stay home. However, individuals like Rajak must work to support their families. “If I don’t earn money, how will I eat?” he lamented.

Rajak has been hospitalized once this year due to air quality issues. His daughter fears he might need further hospitalization. The cost of medical care is a constant worry for them. “Taking him to the clinic was dangerous,” Kajal Rajak mentioned, noting the visibility was so poor at the bus stop that they couldn’t even see the bus number.

Pollution levels in Delhi reached over 1,750 on the Air Quality Index last week. This is far beyond the hazardous threshold of 300. PM2.5, the smallest and most harmful pollutant, was recorded at levels more than 77 times above WHO’s safety guidelines. When inhaled, PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues like asthma, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.

Mohammad Ibrahim, a local auto driver, reported constant chest pain and noted he often finds black residue in his nose after work. He struggles to cope with the pollution but cannot afford to stop working. “If I don’t go out to work, how will I fill my stomach?” he said.

Retired Air Force member Aditya Kumar Shukla, 64, tries to avoid being outside on polluted days. He has had to go to the hospital three times this year due to pollution. “I want to leave Delhi, but there are no facilities for people with lung conditions,” he explained.

Health experts report an increase in respiratory illnesses among residents. For those with existing health issues like Rajak and Shukla, the risks are even higher. Dr. Gaurav Jain of Batra Hospital noted that even non-smokers are developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to ongoing exposure to pollutants.

Delhi has suffered from severe air pollution for over two decades. The annual cycle of worsening air quality occurs when cooler months combine with emissions from agricultural fires, coal plants, and traffic. The Indian government has implemented temporary measures to address air pollution, including halting construction and truck movement. However, experts argue that these measures only provide short-term relief and fail to fix the root causes of pollution.

Environmental analyst Sunil Dahiya emphasized the need for comprehensive strategies that target emissions from transportation, industry, and waste. “We need a systematic approach,” he said.

As Kajal Rajak worries about her father’s health, she insists that the government must take more action. “The government needs to do something,” she stated.