Post Diwali, two-fold increase seen in number of respiratory patients in Noida

NOIDA: Thanks to the Supreme Court's ban on sale of fire crackers, pollution levels in Noida this year have been lower than what they were last year during the same time.

However, the number of patients suffering with respiratory problems has gradually double since Diwali this year.

According to records provided by senior pulmonologists, patients with breathing problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are complaining of aggravated symptoms.

These problems have increased two fold compared to what they were before Diwali.

Doctors, however, again pointed out that the number of cases this year was lower than what it was last year after Diwali.

Yet, four days after the festival, pollution levels show no signs of receeding.

Renu Agarwal, senior physician at District Hospital in Noida, said, "Post Diwali, the number of patients suffering with respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis have increased by double. Some patients come with very severe breathing problems and it becomes mandatory for us to get them admitted to the hospital".

Since Diwali last Thursday, the Central Pollution Control Board's air quality index for Noida has remained in the 'very poor' category, as levels of PM2.5 and PM10 rose to dangerously high levels after Diwali.