These days, every morning is a tough time for people of Dwarka due to nosediving air quality. The rising level of air pollution has made life in the city miserable. The sub-city has already topped in pollution in Delhi and has become a toughest place to live in in the last one week.
People have started avoiding morning walk and going out on roads due to allergy created by the pollution to them. People with dust allergy and respiratory are at risk. They are using masks and trying not to get exposed to pollution.
Sarita Chaudhary, a resident of Sector 12, is a patient of Asthma. After Diwali, she is facing trouble in breathing. She said, “For a couple of days, the pollution level has increased sharply. I feel steep rise in dust pollution which is creating more respiratory problems. My doctors suggested me to stay unless it's essential to venture out. I am carrying masks and inhaler as a precaution.”
The area has been suffering from the pollution of dust and smoke in the air. Even as the roads has full of dust, burning of garbage and dry leaves in the area is adding to the trouble of the residents. Wonder, what makes people indulging in such activities as garbage burning despite knowing fully well about the seriousness of doing so.
Not only this, but also the construction activities, which have been ordered to stop till the pollution level gets back to normal, are still going on in the area. According to experts, the dust particles are so fine that they could easily enter the lungs and can cause serious health problems of an individual.
On the other hand, the smoke mixed with dust is making the air unworthy of breathing. Children and senior citizens are the worst affected. Most of them have symptoms of respiratory ailments. RK Singh, a resident of Sector 8, said, “ Our sector is the worst affected area in Dwarka. The air index is hazardous in this area .One can imagine how alarming the situation is!”
To keep moisture in the air and to minimise the effect of pollution in the their premises, some of the societies have started sprinkling water. But on the other hand, there are also the societies where construction work is going on, legally or illegally, without following the constructions norms. Such constructions are responsible for dust pollution in the air and the people in those societies exposed to it.
Speaking on the issue, a consultant cardiologist, Dr Nitin, said, “ The situation is acute and PM 10 particle count is currently beyond severity in Delhi NCR similar to air quality witnessed in November 2017 and 2018.
Dwarka is the worst affected these days. This poses risk to breathing especially among young children, elderly population and patients with lung problems.”
He suggested that people should take precautions by avoiding morning walks, wearing masks N95 to N99 quality, using air purifiers with Hepa filters until situation improves. People with chronic lung and heart disease should be extra careful and seek medical help if they feel their breathing is getting affected.”
Dr Nitin further said, “Particulate matter combined with ingredients of traffic pollution – 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 has rendered the atmosphere deadly.
Poor air quality, he pointed out has long been linked to lung and heart problems, including coronary artery disease, 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,” he said.
Dr. Nitin suggested that people with dust allergy should avoid moving in those areas where dust pollution level is high and should always keep inhaler handy with them.
