Delhi Pollution: Unbreathable Air Is Damaging Your Health, Expert Shares How To Stay Safe

Delhi AQI has soared to a shocking "severe" status, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management to reimpose GRAP-III. Here are tips on how you can try to stay safe when the air is unbreathable

Jama Masjid engulfed in a layer of smog, as Delhi continues to grapple with toxic air.

Source : PTI

Delhi Pollution: Delhi's air quality worsened to the upper limit of "Very Poor" category on Monday, December 16, with the AQI ranging between a shocking 401 and 450, according to some reports. This led the government to sit up and order some urgent measures to reduce emissions. GRAP-Stage III restrictions have been activated in the entire National Capital Region amid "highly unfavourable meteorological conditions", the Commission for Air Quality Management (CQAM), the central government's pollution watchdog, said on Monday.

The Graded Response Plan (GRAP) is a set of emergency measures implemented in Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution based on the severity of air quality.

If you live in the National Capital Region, you are likely facing the fallout of this dangerous combination of stagnant winds, dropping temperatures, and high humidity. 

Delhi AQI: 5 Tips To Stay Safe 

ABP Live consulted respiratory health experts to seek out tips and information on how you can stay safe and ensure stable health even while you breathe in the highly polluted air of New Delhi.

Dr. Arjun Khanna, Senior Consultant, Pulmonary Medicine, at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, explained how important it is to breathe clean air, and also shared advice on steps one can incorporate in their day-to-day activities to stay safe.

“Breathing clean air is crucial for maintaining optimal pulmonary function and preventing respiratory diseases. Polluted air carries fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), toxins, and allergens that can exacerbate asthma, COPD, and other chronic respiratory conditions, and contribute to cardiovascular diseases and systemic inflammation,” he said.

Dr Khanna shared a few tips on what one can do if they cannot escape city life where air is polluted.

1. Avoid outdoor activities during peak pollution hours (early mornings and late evenings in winter).
2. Wear a certified N95 mask when outdoors to filter particulate matter.
3. Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods (rich in omega-3s and antioxidants) into your diet.
4. Regularly monitor air quality indexes (AQI) and plan activities accordingly.
5. Use air purifiers indoors, if possible, to maintain a controlled environment.

Can You Jog When AQI Is ‘Very Poor’ Or ‘Severe’? 

According to Dr Arjun Khanna, it is not advisable to engage in outdoor physical activities, especially jogging or walking, during winter mornings when pollution levels are typically highest. Opt for indoor exercises or schedule outdoor activities during mid-day when pollution levels may be lower, he said.

Dr Khanna said there is data to suggest that chronic exposure to air pollution can trigger autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis and some forms of inflammatory bowel disease. According to him, air pollution has a derogatory effect on almost every body system.

According to a population-based cohort study carried out at the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy, which that was published in February 2022, it was proven that there is a clear association between long-term exposure to air pollution and immune-mediated diseases.

The study was looking into how environmental air pollution disrupts the immune system at a molecular level. 81 363 subjects were included in the study and the researchers declared that they found a positive association between PM10 and the risk of autoimmune diseases.

“Exposure to PM10 was associated with an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis; exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD),” the report said. 

Therefore, Dr Arjun Khanna’s advice is not for those living in Delhi-NCR alone. Only two weeks ago, tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson shared a social media post about his struggle with Mumbai’s air pollution despite using an N95 mask and air purifiers.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Bryan Johnson (@bryanjohnson_)

Bryan Johnson, known for his work in advancing health and longevity, wrote about the poor air quality in Mumbai. He highlighted that despite using air purifiers in his hotel room and wearing an N95 mask outdoors, his throat and eyes burned from exposure to the pollution, leading him to terming the situation a "pretty serious health situation".

The tech millionaire on a visit to Mumbai to promote his book "Don't Die", and his post on Mumbai’s polluted air triggered a huge social media debate.

The author is an independent journalist.