Delhi air turns ‘life-threatening’ with AQI above 400, doctors sound alarm: Top points

Doctors say masks and air purifiers offer “limited individual protection” and cannot replace systemic policy solutions.

Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) continues to deteriorate, with many areas of the national capital falling into the ‘severe’ category. Experts sounded grave alarm, calling the situation a “public health emergency” and saying there was sufficient evidence to show pollution was affecting life expectancy. Doctors say masks and air purifiers offer protection, but policy-level changes are needed throughout the year to get to the root of the problem.

• Delhi recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 370 at 9 am on Friday, according to government data. This was the eighth consecutive day that the city’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category. More than 18 monitoring stations, including Chandni Chowk, Anand Vihar and Narela, recorded AQI of more than 400. The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Air Quality Early Warning System said Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories for about a week.
• According to IITM Decision Support System, vehicle emissions contributed an estimated 17.3 percent of PM 2.5 pollution, while stubble burning caused 2.8 percent.
• Farm fires in Delhi’s neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have long been contributing to pollution in the NCR. There were 16 farm fire incidents in Punjab, 11 in Haryana and 115 in UP on Wednesday; This is thought to be enough to feed air pollution in winter conditions.
• A survey by LocalCircles found that four out of five households in Delhi-NCR had at least one person falling ill in the last month. Alarmingly, 36 percent of households have four or more people experiencing respiratory or pollution-related symptoms. Residents in the national capital region have reported persistent cough, burning eyes, headaches, congestion and worsening asthma ever since pollution started worsening.
• Doctors say masks and air purifiers offer “limited individual protection” and cannot replace systemic policy solutions.
• Dr Anant Mohan, AIIMS Delhi, said: “The pollution here is absolutely serious and life-threatening. This situation has been going on for the last decade. We are always trying to do something, but in reality I do not see much change on the ground.” He added: “Responsible institutions must take serious action over time. It is not just breathing, it is now affecting other organs as well. Many are facing life-threatening situations. There is definitely an increase in both outpatient and emergency rooms. Many people are even having to be put on ventilators. This should be treated like a public health emergency.”