NEW DELHI: Delhi recorded its worst air quality, which was just 19 points below the 'severe' on Air Quality Index (AQI) on Sunday as a thick haze engulfed the national capital which continued to grapple with deteriorating air quality.
The officials predicted a huge fall in air quality after Diwali which might lead to the closure of schools in the Capital. "The pollution is increasing every day and the CPCB predicted that the air quality will be severe during Diwali and after. The GRAP is already working for the 'very poor' air quality category and if GRAP for the 'emergency' category quality comes into play, the schools should be closed for some days," said an official.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is termed 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe or emergency'.
As many as 12 pollution monitoring stations located in various parts of Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality while 20 stations recorded very poor air quality, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Authorities attribute the dip in air quality to localised factors like construction dust, vehicular pollution as well as regional factors like pollution due to stubble burning from Punjab and Haryana. A thick haze due to smog engulfed the national capital which recorded the worst air quality of this season, authorities said.
A CPCB-led task force has recommended to Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) implementation of stringent measures from November 1 to 10, predicting further deterioration in the air quality ahead of Diwali. Some of these recommendations include shutting down of coal and biomass factories, intensification of inspection by the transport department to check polluting vehicles and controlling traffic congestion in Delhi-NCR during November 1-10. The task force also issued an advisory to the public, asking them to avoid outdoor strenuous activities and minimize the use of private vehicles.
The task force also warned that at beginning of November the situation may get further deteriorated on account of localized emissions during the festival and regional contribution due to stubble burning.
"Coal and biomass-based industries should be shut from November 4 to 10, except the waste-to-energy units and thermal power plants across NCR," Prashant Gargava, member secretary CPCB said while addressing the media.
The task force has also requested the EPCA to ask the traffic department of Delhi and satellite cities like Ghaziabad and Faridabad in NCR, to intensify checks on polluting vehicles from November 1 to 10 to control the pollution.
Pollution a major contributor to stroke risks, say experts
New Delhi: Not just in high risk patients, tiny particles of air pollution can also increase the risk of stroke in younger and healthy population by damaging the inner lining of their veins and arteries. About 15 million people suffer a stroke every year worldwide. Nearly six million die, and five million are left with permanent disabilities, such as loss of sight and speech, paralysis and confusion.
Earlier, it was thought that air pollution increases the risk of stroke for the elderly and sick but studies have found that even seemingly healthy young adults are also at risk who usually have less prevalence of such neurological problems. It was estimated that the number of fragments of dead cells in the bloodstream increases with increased levels of pollution.
Results suggested that polluted environment promote stroke incidences more pervasively and at early stages than previously thought. As per WHO report, about 34 percent stroke deaths occur due to pollution.
Dr Praveen Gupta Director Neurology at a private hospital says, "With the current scenario, the situation is getting worse. Many patients in the young age group suffer from stroke. We get two-three young patients almost every month. The number of young stroke patients has almost doubled compared to last few years. Studies suggest that major risk factors like air pollution and smoking increases stroke incidences both in the short term and long term."
Dr Vinay Goyal, Professor, Department of Nuerology, AIIMS, says "Pollution is one of the exploding factors for increasing the stroke risk in people living in polluted regions like Delhi-NCR. High level of PM2.5 in the air increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality. International studies have found a relationship between pollution and stroke risks. In India, the situation can be more dangerous. Side effects of pollution are like volcanos waiting to explode. If we don't take care now. It will be impossible to handle it later."
Experts are concerned about the fact that the quality of air in Delhi-NCR is already very toxic with the change in weather condition. With such high rates of pollution, rates of strokes will only increase unless strict actions are taken. Emphasizing on the importance of awareness about major risk factors associated with stroke, many experts advocated population based approaches to prevention. Every year on October 29, World Stroke Day is observed to underscore the serious nature of stroke cases and raise awareness about the condition and associated risk factors to control the burden of stroke.
There is a need of collaborative action from the government, healthcare community and NGOs to come together on a common platform and devise strategies to reduce risk factors and control the rates of stroke.