Air Quality Deteriorates to Hazardous Levels with AQI at 475
New
Delhi, the noisy capital city of India, is facing a critical level of air
pollution again. The situation has worsened especially with the onset of winter
as the AQI stood at a dangerous 475 in some regions. Emission of toxic
substances leading to formation or deadly smog to hinder breathing and is a
source of major concern especially to the inhabitants of the city, leading to
controversies regarding the necessity of serious intervention.
The AQI Crisis
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The AQI Crisis |
The
Air Quality Index – pollution measurement – will vary from 0 to 500 with
‘severe’ rating above 400. This category exposes the affected to the air as
well as other aspects and diseases of the respiratory organ and other
complications even for the healthy. In children, elderly, and those with
underlying respiratory or cardiac problems, the risks are considerably higher.
Delhi
has reached a level of 475, making it almost impossible to breathe in the city.
Caused by the combined effects of particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, smog has
severely impacted visibility and poses threats to motorists and the walking
public.
Reasons Behind the Toxic Air
Delhi’s
air pollution problem is multifaceted, stemming from both natural and man-made
sources:
Stubble Burning: Adjacencies like Punjab and
Haryana still burn stubbles during the post-harvest period. The smoke generated
through these fires rises up to Delhi which already has thicker layers of
pollutants in the air.
Vehicular Emissions: Vehicle emissions are
estimated beyond beliefs with millions of vehicles on the roads of Delhi which
make vehicular emissions one of the most dominant sources of air pollution.
Industrial Pollution: Delhi’s industries and
neighboring states also put out sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the
atmosphere which complicates the situation.
Winter Inversion: The smog is further
aggravated due to temperature inversion during the onset of winter season and
thus air pollution increases.
Construction Dust: Disregard construction
processes emit minute dust particles into the air and add further to the poor
quality air we breathe.
Health Implications
These high scores
have made Delhi deal with a public health crisis due to the hazardous AQI levels. Prolonged
exposure to such polluted air can lead to:
Respiratory
Issues: Asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic forms of respiratory
disease.
Cardiovascular
Complications: Overall increased ill health effects such as heart attacks and
hypertension.
Weakened
Immunity: Long term exposure reduces Immune response among children and
elderly persons.
Mental Health Impacts: Research has linked air pollution to stress and anxiety because polluted air is bad for the breath.
Government Measures
In response to
the crisis, the Delhi government has initiated several measures:
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): There are
limitations in constructions, industries, and emission producing vehicles.
Odd-Even Rule: The vehicle rationing scheme has been revived to measure traffic emissions.
Water Sprinkling: Some of the ways through which water is currently being used include sprinkling on roads in a bid to settle dust particles.
School Closures: To avoid any contact with the virus children have been kept away from class by closing schools for a while.
Nevertheless,
long term measures are necessary for combating sources of pollution in Kenya.
What Can Residents Do?
While the
government works to address the situation, residents must also take precautions
to protect themselves:
Use
Masks: The good N95 masks serve the purpose of filtering dangerous
particles.
Limit
Outdoor Activities: Minimize exercise outside and exposure during high
population density and high polluting traffic hours.
Air
Purifiers: Use air conditioning units at home in order to improve and
maintain the quality of indoor air.
Stay
Hydrated: Safe drinking water should be recommended daily since it
contributes to the elimination of toxins in the body.
Plant
Greens: Certain ferns such as-browser plant and bamboo palm along with
the indoor plants like aloe-vera and snake plants help in enhancing the quality
of indoor environment.
The Way Forward
Delhi’s air pollution crisis is not a seasonal issue but a recurring problem that demands sustainable solutions. Long-term measures such as promoting clean energy, enhancing public transportation, and strict enforcement of anti-pollution laws are vital. Collaborative efforts from the government, industries, and citizens are the need of the hour to ensure Delhiites can breathe freely again.
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