Delhi pollution: CISF orders issuance of over 10,000 masks to personnel on duty

In the wake of the alarming levels of pollution in the national capital region, over 10,000 masks have been issued to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel involved with various security levels.

The CISF is a paramilitary force under the Union Home Ministry and is tasked to guard the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, the Delhi Metro and a number of government departments and ministries in the national capital region.

The CISF ordered issuance of as many as 8000 masks to the personnel involved with Metro Security, 5000 to those involved with the Airport Security, and close to 1000 to other security personnel.

A similar decision was taken by the CISF last year when the High Court had equated NCR region to a "gas chamber".

4000 air masks had been distributed to the CISF security personnel to wear on-duty.

The national capital region on Tuesday woke up to 'severe' air quality due to a thick blanket of smog.

The rapid fall in air quality and visibility began last evening as moisture combined with pollutants shrouded the city in a thick cover of haze.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) by 10 a.m. recorded 'severe' air quality, meaning the intensity of pollution was extreme.

A 'severe' Air Quality Index comes with the warning that air affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.