Data suggests pollution in Delhi causing more harm than smoking cigarette: AIIMS chief

Delhi Air Pollution Latest Update: As the air quality remained in ‘hazardous category’ for most places in the national capital on Saturday, All India Institute of Medical Sciences chief Dr Randeep Guleria said that the polluted air is more harmful than cigarette smoke and that the lifespan of Delhi residents has been significantly reduced due to high pollution levels.

Speaking to India Today, Dr Guleria said that the studies have shown that the life expectancy of the residents of Delhi has been significantly reduced. He also added that the data remains to be validated but pollution definitely reduces lifespan. In fact, the lungs of Delhiites have turned blackish, he said.

Talking about contribution of crackers to pollution, he said the air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic plains is very high and the burning of crackers on Diwali contributed to it significantly. He added that the vehicle movement increase during festivals also leads to pollution.

Giving clarity on Covid cases in polluted areas, he said that the patients have more swelling in the lungs and the Covid cases can even spread more easily as the coronavirus sticks to pollutants and doesn’t get dispersed. However, he cautioned that cases may now increase because of this.

The word of warning from Dr Guleria comes at a time when the air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘hazardous’ category even two days after Diwali. And the situation, as reported my media houses, is unlikely to improve in the next few days.

On Saturday morning, Anand Vihar and Faridabad recorded an AQI above 600 and other places, including India Gate, Mandir Marg, Sriniwaspuri still have an AQI of 400.