Say no to crackers, alcohol on Diwali: IMA

Indian Medical Association (IMA), on Diwali, has asked people to avoid bursting firecrackers and abstain from consuming alcohol in order to prevent health hazards.

Joint Secretary of the IMA, Dr Anil Goyal, urged the public to have a safer Diwali by avoiding the use of firecrackers and alcohol.

"Being festivals, exchange of sweet would definitely take place, but I urge the diabetic and heart patients to consume lesser sweets to avoid health consequences," Dr Goyal told ANI.

"If you face severe chest pain, breathlessness, teary eyes or any other complications, you should immediately rush to the emergency doctors," advised the IMA Joint Secretary.

The advisory from the medical body comes amidst concerns of rising air pollution in the National Capital Region.

Delhi's air quality index on Wednesday showed a slight improvement due to the high-speed wind. The system of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said, "The overall Air Quality Index of Delhi at 8:30 am was recorded at 320, which falls under the 'very poor' category."

However, if crackers are burst, despite strict orders in place, the air quality may deteriorate and fall under 'severe category.'

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 is marked as severe or hazardous.

In order to combat the rising air pollution crisis, former IMA president KK Aggarwal on Tuesday suggested that people must avoid burning of candles and any other products which produce smoke and keeps medicine handy if suffering from Asthma, diabetes and any respiratory diseases.