Dust pollution triggers breathing issues in healthy people, worsens plight of asthma patients

From dry cough to breathing problems and sore eyes to skin irritation, many healthy people in the city have suffered hazards of the severe dust pollution that Delhi has been reeling under for the past few days, which has worsened the condition of patients suffering from asthma, according to doctors.

Lung Surgeon at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), Arvind Kumar, warned that what was more worrying, was that many people were "resorting to self-medication", especially use of inhalers, when faced with any breathing difficulties.

The air quality in Delhi remained 'severe' for the sixth day today as both government and private hospitals continued to get cases of breathing issues and eye-related complications.

"In our hospital, we are getting many people, who are complaining of dry cough, sore eyes and skin itching. And, these people were otherwise healthy. People are also complaining of choking while in asthmatic patients it has precipitated acute attack. The air quality has become pretty bad, so one has to be very careful," Kumar told PTI.

According to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the PM10 level was recorded at 420 in Delhi today while the PM2.5 level was 107. The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city remained severe at 402. Pollution level in neighbouring regions also remained severe.

Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had on Thursday ordered stoppage of all civil construction activities across Delhi till Sunday as part of emergency measures to bring down the severe dust pollution as pollutant levels had spiked at several places across Delhi.

The dust kicked from construction sites in and around Delhi is one of the major contributors to the pollution and a severe health hazard, as they may contain silica too, which is dangerous, if ingested.

Prashant Saxena, Head and Principal Consultant- Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, at Max Hospital, Saket, said, "In the past few weeks there has been a change in the pattern of patients visiting the OPD."
A chemist at a drug store in south Delhi, who did not wish to be named, said, "When the pollution level spikes, our sale of inhalers go up. In past few days, it has increased."
Mrinal Sircar, Director, Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Fortis Hospital, Noida, said, "People who are spending most of the time outside, such as office-goers, are more prone to the ill-effects of pollution."