Air Pollution In Delhi: Severe Pollution Also Increases Risk Of Heart And Brain Stroke As Well As Miscarriage

New Delhi: It has become difficult to breathe in Delhi. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 472 on Friday morning. Dense fog is covering the whole of Delhi. AQI is a measure of air quality, above 450 it is considered very serious i.e. dangerous to the lungs. 

Due to the increasing pollution, the Noida administration has decided to conduct online classes for children up to class 8 from Friday. At the same time, primary schools in Delhi will remain closed from Saturday. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced this in a press conference.

Polluted air also increases risk of miscarriage: Dr. Guleria

Polluted air has increased the risk of not only respiratory diseases but also heart and brain stroke as well as miscarriage. Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi, says that the study of The Lancet shows that due to air pollution being in the very poor category, the effect of polluted air will also be on the foetus. This slows down the development of the foetus, as well as increases the risk of miscarriage.

Dr. Uma Kumar, Head of AIIMS Rheumatology Department said that due to increase in pollution, the problems of arthritis patients increase. 

Diesel-run vehicles banned in Delhi-NCR

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court regarding pollution. The matter will be heard on November 10. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented the fourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Under this, the Air Quality Management Commission has banned diesel-run vehicles in Delhi-NCR. However, there is no ban on CNG and electric vehicles.

Number of patients increases in hospitals: Due to increasing pollution, the number of respiratory patients in the OPDs of hospitals has increased in Delhi-NCR. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has urged the Delhi government to close the schools.

Steps taken by government

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented the fourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Commercial construction works have been banned in Delhi-NCR.

Primary schools in Delhi will remain closed from Saturday and outdoor activities of classes above 5th will remain closed.

The Central Panel Air Quality Management Commission has given instructions to ban the entry of diesel four wheelers, trucks in Delhi-NCR.

Commercial construction works have been banned.

The construction of highways, flyovers, power transmission, overbridges and pipelines has been stopped.