Delhi’s Worsening Air Quality and the Looming Health Crisis

New Delhi, India – As the winter season approaches, the capital city of Delhi is once again grappling with a sharp decline in air quality, plunging residents into a state of environmental crisis. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has touched alarming levels, with a reading of 346, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city’s pollution woes are further exacerbated by a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions, smoke from crop stubble burning, and a lack of wind to disperse pollutants. In response to the ongoing crisis, the Indian government has imposed stringent measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat the severe pollution.

Air pollution’s detrimental impact on public health has been a cause of growing concern, both in India and around the world. Several studies have emphasized the disastrous consequences of air pollution, which stands as the single largest environmental health risk in Europe and a major contributor to premature death and disease.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), both short- and long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide array of diseases, ranging from stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers to aggravated asthma and lower respiratory infections. Notably, a global survey conducted a few years ago unveiled that chronic exposure to air pollution can affect virtually every organ in the human body, exacerbating existing health conditions and complicating overall well-being.

The Impact on Internal Organs:

1. Central Nervous System: The presence of neurotoxicants in polluted air can have severe consequences for the central nervous system, especially during its developmental stages. This impact is most pronounced in the developing brains of infants and children, leading to potential mental and cognitive developmental disorders. Conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder are increasingly associated with exposure to air pollution. Headaches and anxiety are also common side effects of exposure to neurotoxicants produced by air pollution.

2. Breathing Problems: Among the most common health effects of deteriorating air quality is a decline in air quality. Polluted air can trigger breathing difficulties, aggravate allergies and asthma, and exacerbate other respiratory issues. This problem is particularly evident in individuals who already struggle with breathing-related conditions. The main culprits behind these breathing problems are fine and coarse particulate matter, which are released when fuels are burned. Sources of these particulates include vehicles, power plants, and wildfires.

3. Long-term Health Risks: Prolonged exposure to air pollution increases the risk of a range of diseases, including heart disease and cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, as a leading cause of cancer.

4. Link to Diabetes: A recent study conducted in India established a connection between air pollution and type 2 diabetes. Research in both Delhi and the southern city of Chennai found that inhaling air with high concentrations of PM2.5 particles led to elevated blood sugar levels and an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution, as their bodies, organs, and immune systems are still in the developmental stage. Air pollution not only affects their health during childhood but also significantly raises the risk of diseases in later life.

As air quality continues to deteriorate in Delhi and across the globe, it becomes increasingly apparent that air pollution is not just an environmental issue but a severe public health crisis. Urgent measures are needed to address the sources of pollution, enforce regulations, and protect the most vulnerable segments of the population. With air quality directly linked to human health and well-being, the battle for clean air is paramount for the present and future generations.

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Harshit TokasNews Writer

Harshit Tokas is a Political Science and International Affairs Post-Graduate with a passion for understanding and analyzing complex political landscapes. Skilled in research, data analysis, and policy development. Eager to contribute his knowledge and insights to drive positive change.

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