Delhi Smog: Workers Sacrifice Health for Daily Bread

Many of Delhi's informal workers are trapped in a cycle of ill health due to toxic smog, forced to risk their lives for daily wages. Meneka Deviki, a construction worker, endures a tight chest and cough, prioritizing her family's sustenance over her well-being. Delhi's severe cold wave exacerbates air pollution, with the Air Quality Index frequently exceeding 500, making it a health hazard.

Daily-wage earners, vendors, and delivery staff lack the option of working from home, unlike office workers. This means staying home equals lost income, forcing individuals like Deviki to work in hazardous conditions. Doctors warn that prolonged exposure to Delhi's polluted air poses serious respiratory and cardiovascular risks, especially for those with continuous outdoor exposure.

Despite the Delhi government's Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025 and financial support schemes for construction workers during pollution-induced halts, the harsh reality for many remains. Informal workers, representing about 80% of Delhi's workforce, often lack access to basic services and protective gear, enduring long hours in toxic environments.

Studies reveal alarmingly high rates of abnormal lung function among waste pickers, sanitation workers, and security guards. A significant majority of informal workers believe air pollution harms their health but fear job loss if they voice concerns. They are caught in a cruel paradox where survival necessitates enduring severe health risks.