Delhi’s pollution levels have surged to hazardous levels once again, with experts raising alarms about the severe long-term impact of toxic air on public health.
On Wednesday, air quality in the Indian capital reached 35 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO), leaving residents struggling with breathing difficulties, and irritation in their eyes and throats.
Frank Hammes, the global chief executive of air technology company IQAir, warned that the current air pollution crisis could prove even more detrimental to public health than the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking to the BBC, Hammes stated: “Alarming air pollution levels are a public health pandemic. This is going to have a much bigger impact on public health than Covid-19.” He explained that toxic air pollution affects everything from mortality rates to IQ levels.
The toxic air in Delhi has been exacerbated by a combination of low wind speeds, vehicle emissions, and the burning of crop remains and firewood, which is a recurring issue every winter. On Wednesday morning, pollution in parts of the city exceeded the 550 mark on the Swiss IQAir air quality index, far surpassing the “hazardous” level of 300. By contrast, London’s air quality was rated at just 26.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures levels of PM 2.5 particles, which Hammes describes as “the most dangerous pollutant” and the “only determinant” for calculating pollution levels. “It causes breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, heart and lung issues that send people rushing to emergencies,” Hammes explained.
In response to the worsening pollution, the Delhi government reinstated strict control measures under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Tuesday. This came less than two weeks after the country’s top court allowed certain restrictions to be eased. As part of these measures, most schools have shifted to hybrid modes of learning, all construction and demolition activities have been banned, and the entry of lorries and heavy vehicles (except those carrying essential goods) has been prohibited.
Residents have expressed growing frustration over the situation. Manish Adhikari, a local resident, shared with news agency ANI, “It has now become difficult to survive the winter in Delhi with constantly rising pollution.” Bhagat Singh, another Delhi resident, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Pollution has become an incurable disease, especially for Delhi. There is no solution to it.”
Authorities are urging the public, particularly children and the elderly, to stay indoors and wear masks as a precautionary measure. However, experts like Hammes emphasize that more long-term action is necessary to address the root causes of the crisis.
