Smog and health of aam aadmi
11 Jan 2014 11:40 PM GMT
Delhi is enveloped in the seasons’ worst killer smog at present. Over the past 24 hours the wind has nearly stopped blowing and cold has set in good and proper. Sunday night was a nightmare for those who were out of their homes or or had a flight or train to catch. People reported difficulty in finding their way through the thick smog. The daily pollution average on January 5 was the highest this winter. Shouldn’t all Delhiites now wake up to what winter and the trail of smog episodes is doing to their health and shouldn’t air pollution be among the priorities in the 18 point agenda of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which it is not?
Nearly all through this winter we have kept our eye on the continuous air quality monitoring reports of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that relay real time air quality data. Throughout the season, the level of airborne and invisible tiny particles that harm the most remained at least two to three times higher than the permissible levels. But understand how killer smog builds up. December 31 was one of the better days with wind blowing and average PM10 particle levels in Mandir Marg, Punjabi Bagh and R K Puram was close to the seasons’ average trend of close to two times the standard. But by January 5 it surged to the dizzy height of 958 microgramme per cubic metre (µg/m³)—a five time increase within five days and nine times higher than the standard. Even PM2.5 particle level was nine times the standard.
Scientists tell us that these suspended particles that measure between 10 micrometre in diameter (PM10) down to 2.5 micrometre (PM2.5) are about 1/10th the thickness of a human hair or just invisible. Even our nose and throat cannot trap and excrete them. They carry toxic chemicals, metals into our airways, lower lungs and stay there for years. The tinier ones from vehicle tailpipes and other combustion sources can go directly to our blood stream and spread all over our body.
The reason why WHO also says there is no safe level below which symptoms go away. WHO says that the 24 hour average level of PM2.5 must not exceed 25 µg/m³ as against the lax Indian standards that allow 60 µg/m³ (for PM10 WHO recommends 50 µg/m³ as against 100 in our standard). Thus the current levels of both PM 10 and PM2.5 in Delhi are 36-38 times higher than what WHO considers acceptable.
How much more evidence needed?
Since 2000, at least one study a year has been published in Delhi to give clinching evidence of smog’s toxic risk. Many of these studies have been carried out by doctors – from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, St Stephens Hospital and others (see ‘Every breath you take’). Over the years they have widely reported prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms; increase in emergency room visits during winter for asthma, chronic obstructive long disease, and acute coronary event; the increase is by 21.3 per cent, 24.9 per cent, and 24.3 per cent respectively. The reports also show the genotoxic effect of vehicular fumes; vitamin D deficiency among Delhi children in polluted localities which increases risk of developing rickets; significant increase in eye symptoms and disorder in polluted areas; policemen showing high benzene exposure; and particulate combined with other pollutants like nitrogen oxide leading to very high incidence of respiratory disorders. Most extensive scary evidences have come from the epidemiological study on children in Delhi carried out by CPCB and Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata and published in 2012. This study had covered 11,628 school-going children from 36 schools in different parts of Delhi and in different seasons. Every third child has reduced lung function. There is a marked increase in number of bio markers like alveolar macrophages (the first line of cellular defense against inhaled pollutants) in sputum of children that shows greater exposure to particulate pollution. Sputum of Delhi’s children contains four times more iron-laden macrophages than those from cleaner environs, indicating pulmonary hemorrhage.
They have found the level of these bio markers in children higher in areas with high PM10 levels. Delhi’s children also have nearly two times more upper respiratory symptoms (sinusitis, running or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and common cold with fever) and two times more lower respiratory symptoms (frequent dry cough, cough, wheezing breath, breathlessness on exertion, chest pain) and they suffer more during winter.
Significantly, in 2013 scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru University who had earlier reported decline in the level of toxins like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) after the introduction of CNG programme and replacement of diesel buses now say based on their new evidences that its levels have gone up again due to rising number of vehicles. They conclude that a maximum of 39,780 excess cancer cases might occur due to lifetime inhalation and exposure to the PAH concentrations.
AIIMS doctors have already reported this winter that cardiac and respiratory disease has already increased by about a quarter. More evidences from studies of University of California, Berkeley, in Delhi, show PM2.5 concentrations inside vehicles while travelling can be 1.5 times higher than the surrounding background air and ultra-fine levels about 8.5 times higher.
The exposure to vehicular fumes in Delhi is among highest in the world. The World Allergy Organisation (WAO) Journal also published in 2013 reported high respiratory disorder symptoms in students residing in Chandni Chowk (66 per cent) in north Delhi, Mayapuri (59 per cent) in west Delhi and Sarojini Nagar (46 per cent) in south Delhi. Heavy traffic movement has been found to be the factor in the relative difference among the localities. WAO also alerts that allergic problems will increase further as air pollution increases.
Act now
Pollution hurts not only the health of our people but also our economy. The World Bank’s Diagnostic Assessment of Select Environmental Challenges in India released in 2013 has shown that the cost of particle pollution related health damage already amounts to 1 per cent of India’s GDP. In the past, high pollution levels have led to flight of industry and capital from Hong Kong. This year smog is reported to have affected tourism in Chinese cities. Read these signs on the wall and the restive discontent among the citizens of Delhi who are aware and know. The mandate is clear.
Delhi will have to fulfill the 12th Five Year plan target of meeting the ambient air quality standards by the end of the plan period. This will require time-bound action plan for each source of pollution, especially vehicles that emit toxic fumes in our breathing zone.
By arrangement with Down to Earth magazine
Nearly all through this winter we have kept our eye on the continuous air quality monitoring reports of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that relay real time air quality data. Throughout the season, the level of airborne and invisible tiny particles that harm the most remained at least two to three times higher than the permissible levels. But understand how killer smog builds up. December 31 was one of the better days with wind blowing and average PM10 particle levels in Mandir Marg, Punjabi Bagh and R K Puram was close to the seasons’ average trend of close to two times the standard. But by January 5 it surged to the dizzy height of 958 microgramme per cubic metre (µg/m³)—a five time increase within five days and nine times higher than the standard. Even PM2.5 particle level was nine times the standard.
Scientists tell us that these suspended particles that measure between 10 micrometre in diameter (PM10) down to 2.5 micrometre (PM2.5) are about 1/10th the thickness of a human hair or just invisible. Even our nose and throat cannot trap and excrete them. They carry toxic chemicals, metals into our airways, lower lungs and stay there for years. The tinier ones from vehicle tailpipes and other combustion sources can go directly to our blood stream and spread all over our body.
The reason why WHO also says there is no safe level below which symptoms go away. WHO says that the 24 hour average level of PM2.5 must not exceed 25 µg/m³ as against the lax Indian standards that allow 60 µg/m³ (for PM10 WHO recommends 50 µg/m³ as against 100 in our standard). Thus the current levels of both PM 10 and PM2.5 in Delhi are 36-38 times higher than what WHO considers acceptable.
How much more evidence needed?
Since 2000, at least one study a year has been published in Delhi to give clinching evidence of smog’s toxic risk. Many of these studies have been carried out by doctors – from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, St Stephens Hospital and others (see ‘Every breath you take’). Over the years they have widely reported prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms; increase in emergency room visits during winter for asthma, chronic obstructive long disease, and acute coronary event; the increase is by 21.3 per cent, 24.9 per cent, and 24.3 per cent respectively. The reports also show the genotoxic effect of vehicular fumes; vitamin D deficiency among Delhi children in polluted localities which increases risk of developing rickets; significant increase in eye symptoms and disorder in polluted areas; policemen showing high benzene exposure; and particulate combined with other pollutants like nitrogen oxide leading to very high incidence of respiratory disorders. Most extensive scary evidences have come from the epidemiological study on children in Delhi carried out by CPCB and Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata and published in 2012. This study had covered 11,628 school-going children from 36 schools in different parts of Delhi and in different seasons. Every third child has reduced lung function. There is a marked increase in number of bio markers like alveolar macrophages (the first line of cellular defense against inhaled pollutants) in sputum of children that shows greater exposure to particulate pollution. Sputum of Delhi’s children contains four times more iron-laden macrophages than those from cleaner environs, indicating pulmonary hemorrhage.
They have found the level of these bio markers in children higher in areas with high PM10 levels. Delhi’s children also have nearly two times more upper respiratory symptoms (sinusitis, running or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and common cold with fever) and two times more lower respiratory symptoms (frequent dry cough, cough, wheezing breath, breathlessness on exertion, chest pain) and they suffer more during winter.
Significantly, in 2013 scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru University who had earlier reported decline in the level of toxins like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) after the introduction of CNG programme and replacement of diesel buses now say based on their new evidences that its levels have gone up again due to rising number of vehicles. They conclude that a maximum of 39,780 excess cancer cases might occur due to lifetime inhalation and exposure to the PAH concentrations.
AIIMS doctors have already reported this winter that cardiac and respiratory disease has already increased by about a quarter. More evidences from studies of University of California, Berkeley, in Delhi, show PM2.5 concentrations inside vehicles while travelling can be 1.5 times higher than the surrounding background air and ultra-fine levels about 8.5 times higher.
The exposure to vehicular fumes in Delhi is among highest in the world. The World Allergy Organisation (WAO) Journal also published in 2013 reported high respiratory disorder symptoms in students residing in Chandni Chowk (66 per cent) in north Delhi, Mayapuri (59 per cent) in west Delhi and Sarojini Nagar (46 per cent) in south Delhi. Heavy traffic movement has been found to be the factor in the relative difference among the localities. WAO also alerts that allergic problems will increase further as air pollution increases.
Act now
Pollution hurts not only the health of our people but also our economy. The World Bank’s Diagnostic Assessment of Select Environmental Challenges in India released in 2013 has shown that the cost of particle pollution related health damage already amounts to 1 per cent of India’s GDP. In the past, high pollution levels have led to flight of industry and capital from Hong Kong. This year smog is reported to have affected tourism in Chinese cities. Read these signs on the wall and the restive discontent among the citizens of Delhi who are aware and know. The mandate is clear.
Delhi will have to fulfill the 12th Five Year plan target of meeting the ambient air quality standards by the end of the plan period. This will require time-bound action plan for each source of pollution, especially vehicles that emit toxic fumes in our breathing zone.
By arrangement with Down to Earth magazine
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