No respite for Lucknowites over weekend
LUCKNOW:Smog and fog together troubled Lucknowites on Friday morning while the air pollution level remained high for the entire day. The weatherman says the weekend will bring little or no respite in the situation.
The weather forecast says dense fog will envelop the city for the next two days and then there may be mist for the next two days. Fog is very likely in the morning.
For commuters, breathing meant inhaling a large volume of pollutant as the PM2.5 levels were recorded six to seven times higher than the prescribed limits. People were seen commuting with masks on their faces while many avoided going out during the day. “I hope air pollution levels go down in a day or two. Till then, I can postpone unnecessary work,” said Rakesh Sharma, who works in the private sector in Gomti Nagar.
Prof Surya Kant of the pulmonary medicine department at KGMU suggested that protecting nose and mouth from inhaling pollutants could help. “People rush for masks that they reuse which is wrong. I would suggest that one should cover one’s nose and mouth,” he said .
Prof Surya Kant said that when coming back from an area where the air pollution level was high, one should inhale steam to clean nose and throat . “In fact, it helps lungs to sustain their capacity,” he said.
The PM2.5 level was recorded highest 494.38 at 3 in the intervening night. PM2.5 is measured in micrograms per cubic metre and it refers to atmospheric particulate matter. It is considered harmful for human as it settles to cause damage to organs in the body.