More than 75% children suffering due to Delhi’s air pollution: Study

As winter approaches, Delhi’s air quality goes down each year.  “The climatic change leaves more than 75% of the children feeling suffocated,” according to a study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

75.4% of children out of 413 surveyed complained of breathlessness, 24.2% complained of itchy eyes, 22.3% complained of regular sneezing or runny nose and 20.9% of children complained of coughing in the morning, as per the report. 

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The survey was directed at children aged between 14 and 17 years. 

The TERI report further stated that “Delhi has a high concentration of major pollutant PM 2.5”, which is one of the major reasons behind respiratory and heart diseases among children. 

Heavy metals were also found to be contributing to PM 2.5 that could lead to potential health effects. In October 2019, the concentration of zinc in the city’s PM 2.5 was 379 ng/m3. In September 2020, it grew to 615 ng/m3. 

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Meanwhile, the lead in Delh’s air was 233 ng/m3 (nanograms per cubic meter of air) in 2019, which grew to 406 ng/m3 (nanograms per cubic meter of air) in 2020. The arsenic content was reported to be 3 ng/m3.

According to experts, “some of these metals are extremely hazardous to human health and regular exposure to them could lead to some fatal health consequences. The increased amount of cadmium and arsenic in the air also put the locals at higher risk of cancer, kidney problems and high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases.”

“PM 2.5 level – less than 60 ug/m3 – is considered an acceptable norm, but if there is a high concentration of toxic metals in the air, then it may lead to Your health is at risk,” TERI Associate Fellow (Environment and Health), Kanhaiya Lal, told Live Hindustan

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