In Delhi, 69% of Families Affected By Pollution-Related Ailments Amid Deteriorating Air Quality: Report

69% of Delhi families suffer from pollution-related ailments like sore throat and cough.

Over 50 per cent families suffer pollution-realted ailments in Delhi.

Source : PTI

As many as 69 per cent of families in Delhi have one or more members suffering from pollution-related ailments including sore throat and cough amid deteriorating air quality. 

The finding was revealed in a survey by Local Circles, a digital platform, which collected responses from more than 21,000 residents across Delhi-NCR, reported India Today. 

According to the survey, 62 per cent of families have one or more members experiencing burning eyes due to rising air pollution, while 46 per cent have someone with a runny nose or congestion.

At least 31 per cent of respondents said they experienced breathing difficulties or asthma, while another 31 per cent mentioned experiencing headaches.

Around 23 per cent of people expressed feelings of anxiety or trouble concentrating while another 15 per cent cited difficulties with sleep. However, 31 per cent of the respondents were such who or their family members did not face any issues related to pollution. 

“With many already having cough and cold and some even suffering or already suffering from respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the severe or hazardous AQI levels post Diwali are likely to make things worse,” the survey reads.

On Friday, Delhi's air quality was in the "very poor" category, with an AQI of 359 a day after the Diwali celebration in the city despite a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of firecrackers. 

Areas including Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Chhatarpur, Jaunapur, East of Kailash, Saket, Rohini, Dwarka, Punjabi Bagh, Vikas Puri, Dilshad Garden, Burari and many other neighbourhoods of east and west Delhi saw bursting of firecrackers.

However, on Saturday, the AQI dropped to 294, and the air quality was still in the "poor" category. 

An AQI reading between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 is considered 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 is considered 'moderate', 201 to 300 is considered 'poor', 301 to 400 is considered 'very poor' and 401 to 500 is considered 'severe'.