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Delhi's Toxic Air Triggers Surge In Respiratory Illnesses: Doctor

Dr. S. Chatterjee points out that Delhi's pollution levels aren't dropping as they usually do by this time of year. This failure has led to a sharp increase in hospital visits for issues like asthma, bronchitis, and other lung conditions. The city woke up to thick, toxic smog, with the AQI hitting "very poor" and even "severe" in some areas. It's clear that both residents and officials need to work together urgently to tackle this

Key Points: Delhi Pollution: Hospitals See Spike In Respiratory Cases As AQI Remains 'Very Poor'

  • Doctor reports unseasonal pollution persistence leading to health crisis
  • Hospitals see substantial patient surge with respiratory symptoms
  • Pollution aggravates asthma, bronchitis, and pre-existing lung diseases
  • Delhi's AQI remains in 'Very Poor' category with pockets of 'Severe' air
  • Call for unified public and government action to control pollution
  • Dense smog reduces visibility and causes widespread discomfort
2 min read

Delhi's toxic air leads to spike in respiratory illnesses, says doctor

Amid severe air pollution in Delhi, a doctor reports a substantial rise in patients with cough, breathlessness, and aggravated asthma, linking it to unseasonably high pollution levels.

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to control the pollution till quite late now... And that's how the number of patients reporting to hospitals and clinics... has really substantially increased. - Dr S Chatterjee / Internal Medicine Specialist"

New Delhi, December 21

Amid deteriorating air quality in the national capital, Internal Medicine Specialist Dr S. Chatterjee on Sunday said that pollution levels usually begin to decline by this time of year, but that has not happened this season. As a result, hospitals are seeing a significant rise in patients with pollution-related health issues.

Chatterjee said patients are increasingly reporting symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, cough, breathlessness, worsening asthma, bronchitis, and flare-ups of pre-existing lung conditions, including interstitial lung disease and lung fibrosis.

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to control the pollution till quite late now. Earlier, by this time, the levels would start coming down. But unfortunately, we have failed this time. And that's how the number of patients reporting to hospitals and clinics... has really substantially increased. People are coming in with a runny nose, sneezing, a blocked nose, cough, breathlessness, increased asthma attacks, bronchitis, and people with underlying lung disease, like interstitial lung disease or some form of lung fibrosis... Normally, we have a better capability to fight these changes during the change of season. But the numbers have really gone up this time... The people of the city and the government must act in unison to control pollution...," Dr S Chatterjee told ANI.

The national capital woke up to a thick blanket of toxic smog on Sunday morning, sharply reducing visibility and causing discomfort to residents across the city.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 390 around 7 am, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

However, several areas witnessed air quality deteriorating further to 'severe' levels. Multiple parts of Delhi experienced a dense haze, with pollution levels remaining alarmingly high.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Every year the same story. Diwali crackers, stubble burning, then winter smog. When will we learn? My father's asthma has become unbearable. We are planning to move out of Delhi for a few months, but not everyone has that privilege. 😔
D
David E
Working here on a project from London. The air quality is shocking. My company provided N95 masks, but the visibility while driving is dangerously low. How do residents cope with this year after year? Serious long-term planning is needed, not just temporary fixes.
A
Aman W
While the government must act, we citizens are also to blame. How many of us use public transport or carpool? We want convenience but complain about pollution. Time for some *jan bhagidari* (public participation) in the true sense.
S
Shreya B
The article mentions stubble burning from neighboring states, but let's not forget Delhi's own traffic and dust. We need a holistic solution. My heart goes out to all the elderly and young kids suffering. #CleanAirDelhi
K
Karthik V
AQI 390 is terrifying. I respectfully disagree with those who say it's just a seasonal issue. This is a man-made disaster. The economic cost of treating these illnesses and lost productivity must be enormous. Where is the urgency from our leaders?

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