Expert warns of public health emergency as Delhi's toxic air returns

Delhi is once again grappling with a severe air quality crisis, as the levels of pollution have reached alarming heights. The combination of toxic air and dropping temperatures has created a challenging situation for the residents of the city. In the early hours of the morning, a woman dressed in a traditional pink Indian outfit and a black scarf walks along the roadside in Karol Bagh, Delhi, while vehicles pass by with their headlights on due to the poor visibility caused by the thick smog. The air quality in Delhi has soared to levels that are 35 times higher than the safe limits established by the World Health Organization. This has led to numerous complaints from residents about breathing difficulties, as well as irritation in their eyes and throats. In response to this dire situation, authorities have advised people, particularly children and the elderly, to remain indoors as much as possible. Doctors are also recommending the use of masks to help mitigate the effects of the polluted air. However, Frank Hammes, the global chief executive of IQAir, an air technology company, has cautioned that wearing masks is merely a temporary solution and that more comprehensive measures are necessary to address the root causes of the pollution. He emphasized that the current levels of air pollution represent a public health crisis that could have a more significant impact on health than the Covid-19 pandemic. Each winter, Delhi and its neighboring states experience heightened pollution levels due to a combination of factors, including low wind speeds, emissions from vehicles, and the burning of agricultural waste and firewood. According to IQAir, a Swiss air quality index, pollution levels in certain areas of Delhi exceeded the 550 mark on Wednesday morning, far surpassing the 'hazardous' threshold of 300. In contrast, London recorded a much lower air quality level of just 26 on the same day. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, measures the concentration of tiny particles in the air known as PM 2. 5, which Mr. Hammes describes as the most dangerous pollutant and the primary factor in determining pollution levels. He explained that PM 2. 5 can lead to serious health issues, including breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, and heart and lung problems that often require emergency medical attention. Many residents resort to burning firewood to keep warm during the winter months, but this practice only exacerbates the already critical pollution situation. In response to the worsening air quality, the Delhi government has reinstated strict pollution control measures. This decision came less than two weeks after the country's highest court had allowed for some of these restrictions to be lifted. Under the new regulations, which fall under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan, most schools have transitioned to a hybrid learning model, all construction and demolition activities have been halted, and the entry of trucks and heavy vehicles, except those transporting essential goods, has been prohibited. Manish Adhikari, a local resident, expressed his concerns to a news agency, stating that surviving the winter in Delhi has become increasingly difficult due to the rising pollution levels. Another resident, Bhagat Singh, voiced his frustration, declaring that pollution has become an incurable disease, particularly for the people of Delhi, and lamenting the lack of effective solutions to combat this ongoing crisis.