New Delhi: Smoky haze engulfs, in New Delhi, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Delhi-NCR region is winessing smog amid a surge in farm fires and unfavourable weather conditions leading to a spike in the air pollution levels.(IANS/Qamar Sibtain)
New Delhi, November 5 (IANS) Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, a senior interventional cardiologist at Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru, on Sunday warned that exposure to highly polluted air increases the risk of death due to heart attacks.
In a post on X, the cardiologist wrote that air pollution is an important and under-recognised risk factor for cardiovascular events (heart attacks).
“Higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) lead to endothelial dysfunction and slow flow in coronaries and systemic inflammation, leading to accelerated atherosclerosis and thrombus (clot formation),” he posted.
What is important to note is that even “acute exposure to increased PM2.5 levels like we are seeing with #DelhiAirPollution increases risk of death due to heart attacks”.
The cardiologist said that it is high time the government takes concrete measures to curb this menace.
The doctor shared infographics, highlighting that 25 per cent of deaths caused by heart diseases were a result of exposure to deadly air pollution.
In yet another smoggy day, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continued to be 'severe' on Sunday with overall Air Quality Index at 482, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
At Bawana, the PM 2.5 reached 500 under 'severe' category while PM 10 was at 482 also under ‘severe’ category. The CO was recorded at 105, under the 'moderate' category.
The station at Dwarka sector 8 recorded PM 10 at 500 and PM 2.5 at 465 (‘severe'), while CO was at 105, 'moderate' category, and NO2 was at 54, under 'satisfactory' category.
The air quality at the IGI Airport T3 area was in the 'severe' category with PM 2.5 at 495 and PM 10 at 454, while the CO reached 104 ('moderate') and NO2 touched 32 ('satisfactory').
Primary schools to remain shut till Nov 10, says Delhi Minister amid 'severe' air pollution
With the pollution in the national capital still in the 'severe' category, the Delhi government on Sunday announced that the primary schools will remain closed till November 10 while the students of Class 6 to 12 are being given the option of shifting to online mode.
In a post on X, Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi said, "As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till 10th November."
"For Grade 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes," she added.
On November 2, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the government and private schools in the national capital will remain closed for two days (till November 4) due to rising pollution levels.
In yet another smoggy day, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continued to remain in the 'severe' category on Sunday with overall Air Quality Index at 482, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
In the national capital, the Aya Nagar station recorded PM 2.5 at 416 and PM 10 at 440, both in 'severe' category while CO was at 126, in 'moderate' category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
At Bawana, the PM 2.5 reached 500 under 'severe' category while PM 10 was at 482 also under ‘severe’ category. The CO was recorded at 105, under the 'moderate' category.
The station at Dwarka sector 8 recorded PM 10 at 500 and PM 2.5 at 465 (‘severe'), while CO was at 105, 'moderate' category, and NO2 was at 54, under 'satisfactory' category.
The air quality at the IGI Airport T3 area was in the ‘severe' category with PM 2.5 at 495 and PM 10 at 454, while the CO reached 104 ('moderate') and NO2 touched 32 ('satisfactory').
The PM 2.5 at ITO was recorded at 420, putting it in the ‘severe' category while PM 10 reached 298, placing it under ‘poor’ category. The NO2 was at 104 ('moderate') and CO was recorded at 102 ('moderate') on Sunday.
