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Delhi's Toxic Air: 200K Respiratory Cases!
4 Dec
Summary
- Over 200,000 acute respiratory illnesses recorded in Delhi.
- Air pollution is a key trigger for Delhi's respiratory ailments.
- PM2.5 levels in Delhi exceed UN limits up to 60 times.
In New Delhi, state-run hospitals have documented over 200,000 instances of acute respiratory illnesses in just three years, from 2022 to 2024. Government data reveals that air pollution is a significant contributing factor to these widespread health issues, with analyses indicating a direct correlation between elevated pollution levels and increased emergency room visits.
More than 30,000 individuals required hospitalization due to respiratory conditions during this period. The city, home to 30 million, endures acrid smog each winter, a dangerous mix from crop burning, industrial emissions, and heavy traffic. Cancer-causing PM2.5 particles often surpass UN health limits by as much as 60 times.
While the health ministry acknowledges air pollution's role, it cautions that it's not the sole cause. Factors like diet, occupation, socioeconomic status, and immunity also play a synergistic part in respiratory health. A recent study linked 3.8 million Indian deaths between 2009 and 2019 to air pollution.
