Patna: Poor air quality is gradually taking a toll on the health of the city residents with many visiting doctors with problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchial asthma and lung infection.
At least 50 people associated with Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH), including doctors, nursing staff and medicos have fallen sick due to the rise in air pollutionin the city.Head of therespiratory medicine department at PMCH, Dr Pawan Agarwal, said the ongoing construction works on Ashok Rajpath and also within the hospital campus have worsened the air quality.
Dr Agarwal said particulate matters and toxic gases like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide were the main irritants causing bronchial constriction leading to breathlessness.
Among nearly 100 patients reaching respiratory OPD at PMCH per day, 50% are footpath vendors or those running shops along the busy roads.
“Of around 120 patients reaching Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) per day, 40% are found suffering from COPD,” said Dr Arshad Ejazi, associate professor.
Dr Ejazi suggested a reduction in vehicular traffic flow and promotion of cycling to improve the city’s air. “Indoor safety measures like regular washing of curtains and bedsheets and cleaning inside portions of cars will also go a long way in improving the situation,” he added.
Dr Prashant Kumar Singh, a pulmonologist, said the city’s air became worse after Diwali. “Number of such patients have shot up two to three times,” he added.
Rise in air pollution has aggravated COPD and bronchial asthma conditions in old patients, said Dr Vaibhav Shankar, a pulmonologist associated with a private hospital. He said though elderly people were more prone to it, pollution could cause breathing trouble even in younger ones, including school children.
“People using public transport, including autorickshaws and school buses, are fully exposed to polluted air. They are vulnerable to getting infected with various pollutants which may cause irritation in breathing passage leading to mucous formation,” Dr Shankar said.
He added children should wear masks while going to school or coming back home as a protective measure.
We also published the following articles recently
At least 50 people associated with Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH), including doctors, nursing staff and medicos have fallen sick due to the rise in air pollutionin the city.Head of therespiratory medicine department at PMCH, Dr Pawan Agarwal, said the ongoing construction works on Ashok Rajpath and also within the hospital campus have worsened the air quality.
Dr Agarwal said particulate matters and toxic gases like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide were the main irritants causing bronchial constriction leading to breathlessness.
Among nearly 100 patients reaching respiratory OPD at PMCH per day, 50% are footpath vendors or those running shops along the busy roads.
“Of around 120 patients reaching Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) per day, 40% are found suffering from COPD,” said Dr Arshad Ejazi, associate professor.
Dr Ejazi suggested a reduction in vehicular traffic flow and promotion of cycling to improve the city’s air. “Indoor safety measures like regular washing of curtains and bedsheets and cleaning inside portions of cars will also go a long way in improving the situation,” he added.
Dr Prashant Kumar Singh, a pulmonologist, said the city’s air became worse after Diwali. “Number of such patients have shot up two to three times,” he added.
Rise in air pollution has aggravated COPD and bronchial asthma conditions in old patients, said Dr Vaibhav Shankar, a pulmonologist associated with a private hospital. He said though elderly people were more prone to it, pollution could cause breathing trouble even in younger ones, including school children.
“People using public transport, including autorickshaws and school buses, are fully exposed to polluted air. They are vulnerable to getting infected with various pollutants which may cause irritation in breathing passage leading to mucous formation,” Dr Shankar said.
He added children should wear masks while going to school or coming back home as a protective measure.
We also published the following articles recently
Here's how air pollution contributes to respiratory diseases
Air pollution is a significant health concern worldwide due to its impact on respiratory health. It is linked to various respiratory diseases caused by pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can damage the respiratory system by causing irritation, inflammation, and tissue damage in the lungs. They can also exacerbate existing respiratory conditions and contribute to the development of chronic respiratory problems. Addressing air pollution through emission controls, cleaner energy sources, and pollution reduction policies is crucial for safeguarding respiratory health.
Air pollution is a significant health concern worldwide due to its impact on respiratory health. It is linked to various respiratory diseases caused by pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can damage the respiratory system by causing irritation, inflammation, and tissue damage in the lungs. They can also exacerbate existing respiratory conditions and contribute to the development of chronic respiratory problems. Addressing air pollution through emission controls, cleaner energy sources, and pollution reduction policies is crucial for safeguarding respiratory health.
Delhi Air Pollution: Air quality a bit better, curbs slightly eased
The ban on entry of trucks into Delhi, non-BS-VI compliant light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, and diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles has been lifted after the improvement in air quality. GRAP measures under stages I to III will continue, including restrictions on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs in Delhi-NCR and ban on construction and demolition activities. The GRAP sub-committee decided to revoke Stage-IV in NCR due to significant improvement in the average AQI of Delhi-NCR and the forecast indicating no further degradation. Restrictions on plying of certain vehicles will remain in force.
The ban on entry of trucks into Delhi, non-BS-VI compliant light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, and diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles has been lifted after the improvement in air quality. GRAP measures under stages I to III will continue, including restrictions on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs in Delhi-NCR and ban on construction and demolition activities. The GRAP sub-committee decided to revoke Stage-IV in NCR due to significant improvement in the average AQI of Delhi-NCR and the forecast indicating no further degradation. Restrictions on plying of certain vehicles will remain in force.
Delhi Pollution: Air remains toxic, no respite likely
The city's air quality remained in the upper level of the 'very poor' category on Thursday with an AQI of 388 at 11am and 390 at 4pm. AQI is predicted to slip into the 'severe' zone by Saturday. Despite a slight improvement over Wednesday's 395 due to better wind speed, several areas in the city recorded a "severe" AQI. With the harvest season in Punjab almost concluding, incidents of stubble burning are declining, making local pollution sources responsible for the capital's air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the PM2.5 level at 4pm hovered around 203.9 micrograms per cubic metres and the PM10 level at 353.2. GRAP-3 restrictions would continue.
The city's air quality remained in the upper level of the 'very poor' category on Thursday with an AQI of 388 at 11am and 390 at 4pm. AQI is predicted to slip into the 'severe' zone by Saturday. Despite a slight improvement over Wednesday's 395 due to better wind speed, several areas in the city recorded a "severe" AQI. With the harvest season in Punjab almost concluding, incidents of stubble burning are declining, making local pollution sources responsible for the capital's air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the PM2.5 level at 4pm hovered around 203.9 micrograms per cubic metres and the PM10 level at 353.2. GRAP-3 restrictions would continue.
