Delhi: With Diwali comes the season of not just winters but also pollution. Highly polluted air is a common phenomenon Delhi witnsesses almost every year. This pollution can badly affect your lungs and thus, it becomes important to be extra careful Diwali. Along with worsening acute coughs, increased air pollution also increases the risk of upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Pneumonia may potentially result from it. In addition to this, it can make existing lung conditions worse. Air pollution has a particularly negative impact on children and the elderly.
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Here are some simple, practical tips for protecting you and your family from the dangers of air pollution:
- Look up local forecasts for daily air pollution. You can find out when the air quality in your area is unhealthy with colour-coded projections. Local newspapers, radio and television weather broadcasts, and government online are among the sources.
- When there is a lot of pollution, avoid exercising outside. Use an exercise machine or walk indoors in a mall or gym with poor air quality if the poor air quality limits your youngster's time playing outside.
- Always stay away from busy locations when you're exercising. Even though the prognosis for the quality of the air is green, the traffic on congested highways can produce high pollution levels up to a third of a mile away.
- Reduce your household's energy use. Air pollution is produced during the production of electricity and other forms of energy. You can enhance air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy independence, and save money using less energy.
- Use neither incense nor agarbattis inside the home. Do not use mosquito coils, either. Use an air purifier in its place. To prevent smoke from spreading throughout the house, owners should install a high-quality exhaust fan in their kitchen.
- If you have thick curtains in your home, wash them every two to three months to prevent dust or dirty air from collecting on them. Avoid overusing carpeting in the house.
(Dr) Col Anil Dhall, Professor & Head, Cardiology, Janakpuri Super specialty Hospital says, "It is very important to wear mask during and after Diwali if one wants to protect their lungs. There's a need to take basic precautions like wearing mask, avoid going out it polluted localities and prevent pollutants from entering your lungs. The pollution this year will likely be the same and thus, everyone should be careful."