The Director General Health Services (Dte.GHS) sent out a public advisory on Sunday for protection from air pollution.
As per the advisory, people should strictly avoid physical outdoor activities as the severe pollution level may expose them to morbidity and may cause respiratory ailments even when exposed for a short duration.
Traffic police, hawkers, rickshaw puller who are exposed to pollution should be extra cautious and use masks all the time.
Listing some dos and don'ts for the people of Delhi-NCR to deal with the situation, the health department has advised people to use only N95 masks as all other masks are ineffective.
In the dont’s, the Dte.GHS has advised the public to avoid morning and evening walks or any other physical activity which makes one breathless.
A general physician, who CitySpidey spoke to, pointed out that the body requires more oxygen after physical activity and with the air being polluted, walkers and runners are only breathing gas. This can lead to breathlessness.
Asked if wearing a mask during physical activity helps, he said that it adds more pressure to the body and a person may even feel more breathless. For those who are in a habit of physical activity, he suggested switching to indoor activities like yoga, gym etc.