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Pollution Shorten Age: The dark clouds visible in Delhi and NCR are beginning to trap even life. Experts have warned that due to this pollution, life expectancy is decreasing dramatically. Therefore this is a matter of great concern. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 356. This is a scary picture in itself.
Pollution Shorten Age: We all are getting trapped in the web of dark clouds hovering over the sky of Delhi and NCR. Not only are we stuck, but it is ready to eclipse our lives. Health experts have warned that due to this dark cloud of Delhi, life expectancy is decreasing drastically. These days Delhi-NCR is trapped in dense smog. This shows dangerous levels of air pollution. Visibility from residential areas to roads and airports is minimal, which is affecting daily commute and increasing health concerns of the people living here. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 356.
Life time pollution affects life
Experts said that due to prolonged exposure to air pollution, serious health problems like stroke, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and neurological disorders are increasing rapidly. Rajesh Bhushan, former secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said that prolonged exposure to polluted air not only reduces life expectancy but also increases the chances of living with some diseases for a long time. People in more polluted cities may live longer, but chronic diseases can have a negative impact on their lives. Productivity decreases, quality of life decreases and thus such people are able to contribute less to the economic sector. Addressing an event organized by the ‘Illness to Wellness’ Foundation, he said, there is a need to take coordinated action between the healthcare system, urban planning and public awareness to tackle air pollution, with more focus on preventive and primary healthcare.
What did the pulmonologist of AIIMS say?
Here, former head of department of AIIMS, pulmonologist Dr. G. C. Khilnani described air pollution as a man-made public health emergency. He said that there is a possibility of this having a widespread impact on respiratory and cardiovascular health. The most dangerous effects of air pollution are often not visible, he said. Very small particles penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream and cause damage to many organs without any early warning. Neurologist Dr. Daljeet Singh said that pollution affects the blood circulation in the brain and significantly increases the risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Singh said that we are now seeing a clear seasonal increase in stroke cases in high pollution months, which suggests that pollution is emerging as an independent risk factor. Apart from stroke, air pollution is also linked to neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s disease, making it a growing neurological challenge that needs immediate attention.
More difficult for the poor and children
FICCI Health Sector Mentor Dr. Harsh Mahajan said that air pollution has become a silent risk factor increasing the category of almost every disease. Mahajan said, this affects the poor, children and those working outside the most, while their contribution to this problem is the least. The dangerous thing is to believe that technology alone will solve this crisis. But what is lacking most is seriousness and accountability. Experts stressed the need for commitment, enforcement of strict rules and informed public participation to ensure healthy lives and a strong economy. input-ians
