Dwarka: People are facing tough time during the morning walks due to the rising level of air pollution in Dwarka. It has become really difficult for people to brave the situation.
On Thursday, the air quality index (AQI) reached 999 at Sector 8.
The air quality started deteriorating since Diwali. People are facing problems of suffocation during morning and evening.
The footfall at the parks has also dropped during morning time. People are avoiding to go into the park during morning time. Only few people can be seen at parks. They put mask and then go to the park at morning time.
Shikha Sheoran a resident of Sector 5 is a regular morning walker but since Diwali she left her morning walk due to pollution in the morning. She said, “Pollution is constantly increasing. This is a alarming situation. I am waiting for the pollution levels to come down so that I can start going to park again.”
People, who were seen in the park with mask on their faces, shared that due to their morning walk habit, they visit the parks with precautions.
Rashmi Singh, a resident of Sector 13 said, “I cannot leave morning walk a single day so I did not stop it. I am using mask and that will protect me.”
Rashmi seemed unaware about the bad effects of walking with the mask in such kind of bad condition. Even doctors are suggesting not to do exercise in open in the morning.
On the subject, cardiologist Dr Nitin suggested that people should avoid going in parks in the morning for exercise until the pollution level come down. He emphasised that despite masks there would be a negative impact if exercise would be done in such pollution level in open.
He said, “This pollution has particulate matters combined ingredients from traffic pollution such as Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Hydrocarbons and Nitric Oxides along with photo-chemical smog which is formed when sunlight reacts with these compounds and forms noxious mixture constituting of Aldehydes, Ozone and other volatile organic compounds. So be at home and don’t go in parks for exercise until the pollution level comes down.”
He said that poor air quality has been linked to lung and heart problems including coronary artery diseases like emphysema, respiratory infections, stroke and cancer.
It is also dangerous for pregnant women, as it can contribute to birth defects. “Air pollution can also exacerbate numerous conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Children and the elderly are especially sensitive to air pollution.”
Nitin suggested that people with dust allergy should avoid moving in those areas having dust and should always keep inhaler with them.
A person doing exercise with mask
A woman walking with mask
A person doing exercise with mask in Sector 14 park
Vacant SDMC park in Sector 14