DELHI AIR POLLUTION CRISIS 2024: WHAT'S HAPPENING?

The air quality in Delhi and its surrounding areas has plunged into the 'severe plus' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) nearing the maximum limit of 500. A dense smog continues to envelop the city, drastically reducing visibility and creating hazardous conditions. According to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), Delhi’s overall AQI stood at a staggering 494 early this morning, with most of the 35 monitoring stations across the capital reporting levels of 500, the highest on the scale.

Delhi's hazardous air affects every part of the body. Pollutants like PM2.5 enter the bloodstream, causing systemic damage. Initial symptoms include nose irritation, coughing, and headaches. Long-term exposure increases the risk of asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly face the greatest risks.

Delhi’s toxic air severely impacts the body, starting with the lungs. Acute effects include nasal irritation, headaches, and skin problems, while chronic exposure can cause asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. According to Dr. Arup Halder, ultra-fine particles (<0.1 micron) travel from the lungs into the bloodstream, triggering systemic effects. These particles harm the heart, causing hypertension, ischemia, and heart attacks, especially in winter. The brain is also affected, with risks of headaches, dementia, and impaired neurological development in children. Other organs, such as the kidneys and reproductive systems, are also at risk, making the impact far-reaching and severe.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) provides structured steps to combat pollution based on AQI levels. Currently at Stage 4 ('Severe Plus'), GRAP enforces construction bans, limits vehicle usage, and reduces office capacities. Experts stress the importance of stricter implementation and public awareness.

As per the experts, air pollution has far-reaching effects on various organs in the body. For the lungs, it can lead to conditions like allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, and lung cancer, as well as acute effects such as pneumonia and lung infections. “In the heart, it contributes to hypertension, heart attacks, and heart failure. The brain is also affected, with links to cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and even strokes. On the skin, air pollution can trigger different types of dermatitis,” Halder said.

It's also important to consider how certain groups are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution; even short-term exposure to high AQI levels can have long-lasting effects. For example, pregnant women are at higher risk, as exposure to polluted air can disrupt placental development, harm fetal growth and even lead to long-term epigenetic changes in the child. These changes can predispose children to a variety of diseases in adulthood, reinforcing the idea that many adult health conditions have their roots in early life environmental exposures.

"At this level of pollution, wearing an N95 mask is not an option but a necessity. Even healthy individuals can face respiratory illnesses and other health complications," reported ANI quoting Dr Rajat Sharma, resident doctor of Community Medicine at UCMS & GTB Hospital. Ujjwal Parakh, senior consultant, Department of Chest Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told ANI that people need to be extremely cautious at this time due to the hazardous air quality. "Everyone should avoid outdoor activities as much as possible and use masks to reduce the effects of air pollution if they must go out," he said.

The Supreme Court on Monday grilled the Delhi government over delay in implementation of stricter anti-pollution measures under GRAP-4 and said it will not allow scaling down of the preventive measures without its prior permission. It told the state government that the court wants to know what steps it has taken to curb the alarming rise of pollution level. "We won't allow scaling down of preventive measures under stage 4 even if AQI goes below 450. Stage 4 will continue till court permits," a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George said, adding it will hear the matter in detail at the end of the day's work.

Citizens can contribute by using public transport, carpooling, and reducing waste burning. Planting trees and advocating for stricter emission norms can have long-term positive effects on air quality.

Delhi's air pollution reflects a global crisis in urban environmental management. Collaborative efforts between nations, cities, and citizens are needed to ensure clean air as a fundamental human right.