Spike in cases of respiratory, heart problems US embassy finds PM 2.5 at 1,010

Delhiites breathed poison on Wednesday with pollutants touching calamitous levels, as a thick grey smog hung low across the region.

Authorities in the city scrambled to tackle the “emergency” situation as hospitals recorded a surge in the number of patients complaining of respiratory problems, reminiscent of the “1952 Great Smog of London”.

Many people complained of heavy breathing and watery eyes as the smog did not even spare living rooms or underground metro stations.

City hospitals said there was a 25 to 30 per cent increase in patients with respiratory issues in the last few days, with the AIIMS chief comparing the situation to the killer Great Smog of London in 1952.

In London smog of 1952 about 4,000 people had died prematurely when average PM levels were about 500 microgramme per cubic metre along with high SO2 levels.

The Indian Medical Association had declared a “public health emergency”.

Doctors also said warned that some of the patients may develop lifethreatening conditions.

“Pollution is at such a New Delhi: The US embassy website has shown the air quality index for New Delhi on the harmful particulate matter (PM) 2.5 at an alarming high of 1,010 at 4 pm on Wednesday and a lower but equally alarming reading of 846 at 9 pm.

severe level that patients with respiratory and cardiac problems may develop life-threatening conditions,” AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria said, adding that N95 masks and air purifiers may not provide full-time protection and stressed on implementation of longterm measures to tackle the crisis.

In the last two days, there has been a spurt in fresh cases in hospitals and conditions of patients with history of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and cardio-vascular diseases deteriorated.

“Patients have started coming to the OPDs with complaints of breathlessness, coughing, sneezing, tightness in chest, allergy and asthma complications. There is about 20 per cent rise in patients seeking treatment due to respiratory and cardiac issues,” said Dr Guleria.