Delhi Air Pollution: Simple Dos And Don’ts To Stay Healthy When There’s Smog

New Delhi : As the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached severe quality on Thursday morning, a thick envelope of smog was seen in the national capital region and its adjoining areas, leaving the populace once again worried about their health. Smog is a type of intense air pollution. The word was coined in the early 20th century and is a portmanteau of the words smoke and fog to refer to smoky fog due to its opacity, and odour.

The smoke in the air due to industrialization and scenarios like farm fires when merged with fog, especially in winter create smog that comes with a bundle of severe conditions in humans, and animals and has the capability to kill plants. Smog has a direct effect on the respiratory system and skin disorders are a major concern. \

With Delhi facing high levels of pollutants in the air, it is time to take some precautions and save yourself from falling ill. To make people aware of ways to tackle this alarming situation and inform them about what to do and what not, ANI talked to Dr Arunesh Kumar, HOD- Pulmonology, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram and here are some tips:

Also Read: Delhi Air Pollution: Stress Is On Seasonal Action, Not Yearlong Collective Effort, Say Environmentalists

Wear mask

Do not leave your home without wearing N95 masks. It’s very important to check that the mask you’re using fulfils all criteria, and actually works well in preventing exposure. Also, only leave your place if it is absolutely necessary to go out.

Invest in air-purifying plants

Investing in some air purifying plants such as aloe vera, ivy and spider plants that can be placed in the home and at your office desk. There are a lot of indoor plants available in the market that requires really less attention. These plants not only purify the air but also calm your mind.

Stay hydrated

It is very important that you stay well hydrated when the air quality is poor. Ensure that you drink enough water throughout the day or other healthy drinks like coconut water and fresh lime. One can also consume vegetable and fruit juices.

Also Read: Delhi Sees Over 50% Decline In PM2.5, PM10 levels This Diwali Compared To Last Year

Follow a rich diet

Following a diet that is rich in antioxidants, protein and green vegetables is vital as it helps in providing protection to your body from the harmful effects caused by air pollutants.

Use public transports

Every vehicle on the road releases a lot of CO2 into the air. Compared with driving alone, taking public transportation reduces CO2 emissions, decreases pollutants in the atmosphere and improves air quality.

Don’t smoke

Experts say that one of the most common indoor air pollutants is cigarette smoke. Don’t allow anyone to smoke indoors and support measures to make all public places tobacco-free.

Along with these tips, Dr Arunesh also suggested,

Not skipping your routine workouts and spending time at the nearby park or garden but do so outside peak pollution hours. Do not burn garbage, especially plastic and other discarded things. Do not select the jam-packed road to drive your vehicle and stay away from locations that are seeing high pollution. Select a healthy lifestyle for your body to be prepared for the harmful effects of smog and pollution.

Meanwhile, with air pollution worsening in the national capital, Delhi authorities halted all construction work and demolition activities till further orders.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has urged the Delhi government to shut schools till air quality improves.

Also Read: Delhi’s Air Quality Improves Marginally; Curbs Under GRAP’s Stage 4 Not Likely For Now

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diarrhoea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.