As Pollution Peaks, Delhi Hospitals See Rise In Number Of ICU Patients: Health Expert

Dr Arvind Kumar said the increased number of patients is proof that there have been peaks in pollution.

Toxic chemicals enters the bloodstream through the lungs and reach every organ. ( Image Source :ANI )

New Delhi: The national capital's air quality continued to remain in the 'very poor' category on Wednesday after the Air Quality Index stood at 354. Chairman of the Institute of Chest Surgery in Medanta Hospital Dr Arvind Kumar told ANI about the ill effects of air pollution. Dr Kumar said that there has been an uptick in the number of people coming to the ICUs with chest infections, and pneumonia. 

He said the increased number of patients is proof that there have been peaks in pollution.

"It's a proof documented fact that following the peaks of pollution, there's a recorded increase in the number of people getting admitted to ICUs with pneumonia and chest infections", Dr Kumar told ANI.

We have a higher number of people coming to our ICUs with chest infections, and pneumonia. It's a proof documented fact that following the peaks of pollution, there's a recorded increase in the number of people getting admitted to ICUs with pneumonia&chest infections: Dr Arvind Kumar pic.twitter.com/hslBbgqaDo

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2022

Dr Kumar spoke of common complaints coming in from patients, the sensation of eyes burning or soreness of eyes, red eyes, watering from eyes or dry-itchy eyes, burning in the nose and a funny taste on the lips. 

"If you touch your tongue there's metallic taste, sore throat too", Dr Kumar told ANI.

Dr Kumar described what could happen when severely polluted air gets into the chest of a person, he said that it causes the windpipe and the lung to inflame.

As the body breathes in the air the toxic chemicals will get absorbed by the lungs and get into the bloodstream. He then added that this gets circulated from head to toe reaching every organ. 

Explaining the long-term effects on the brain, he said children could become hyper-irritable. "I think it's neuro-inflammation because of the toxins from the pollutants."

Meanwhile, in the elderly, the risk of stroke run 10 times higher. 

The health expert termed the problems caused due to the rise in pollution as a "medical emergency".