Poor air quality, low temperatures take a health toll

GURUGRAM: Low mercury levels along with severe air pollution have increased the workload of doctors in Gurugram. Many Gurugram residents are visiting their nearby hospitals due to ailments caused by cold weather conditions prevailing in the city.

“High pollution levels in the city have been extremely harmful to the health of the residents in the city. There are a huge number of patients who come to the hospital complaining of complications caused due to high pollution levels prevailing in the city,” added Dr Sharma.

“We do get a high number of patients suffereing from flu and infections caused due to winter conditions. Elderly patients and infants due to weak immune system are most vulnerable. Patients who suffer from complications of diabetes, high blood pressure also need to be careful in these conditions,” said Dr Pradeep Sharma at Civil Hospital, Gurugram.

Already reeling under severe air pollution, the drop in temperature has only worsened the air quality in the city. According to medical experts, owing to these unhealthy conditions, there has been an increase in the number of patients suffereing from flu, respiratory ailments, microbial infections and cardiovascular diseases.

These conditions can further aggravate complications in patients suffering from respiratory and lung ailments. Doctors have also cautioned that there can be an increase in cardio vascular cases and strokes during these conditions.

Heavy snowfall in the northern regions of the country

More harmful PM 2.5 levels were in the range of 150-210 micrograms per cubic metre. The safe limits of PM2.5 levels are 60 micrograms per cubic metre

has resulted in a fall in temperature in Gurugram as well. The minimum temperature in the city has been recorded at 5 and 6 degree Celsius.

The drop in temperature has worsened the air quality in the city further. On Sunday, particulate matters of 10 microns in the city were between the levels of 420-450 micrograms per cubic metre.

The safe limit of PM10 levels prescribed is 100. High levels of PM10 can adversely affect the patients by causing incessant coughing, wheezing, eye infections and respiratory infections.

More harmful PM 2.5 levels were in the range of 150-210 micrograms per cubic metre. The safe limits of PM2.5 levels are 60 micrograms per cubic metre.

High levels of PM2.5 can result in lung impairment.

Besides PM10 and PM2.5 levels, there has also been no reduction in poisonous concentration of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.