'Monitor AQI, wear N95 mask - Dr Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi, shares tips to reduce air pollution risks

Delhi Air Pollution: As the air quality index (AQI) remains in the ‘very poor’ category, increasing the risks of health problems, especially respiratory problems, former director of AIIMS Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria, said on Wednesday that those with underlying respiratory conditions should be extra careful. Guleria, who is also the Chairman of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Medanta The Medicity, noted that the rising air pollution can be labeled as a public health emergency to some extent because it will lead to increased symptoms, with more people coming to the hospital. “When the AQI drops to poor category, it means two things – those who have underlined chronic respiratory and heart diseases will have a worsening of their condition, and they need to be extra careful. Sometimes patients need to increase medication if they are taking a nebulizer,” Guleria told PTI. He added that the data from AIIMS and other centers shows that rising pollution level leads to emergency visits of children and adults with respiratory symptoms in the subsequent 4 to 6 days. ‘Air pollution can affect lung growth in children’ There is data to suggest that every year we have such high levels of pollution, and if the population is exposed to it, it can affect lung growth in children and they can be prone to respiratory problems. It’s like people living in an environment where they smoke constantly, Guleria said. ‘Monitor AQI, wear N95 mask’ The former AIIMS director noted that those with underlying cardio-respiratory problems should monitor AQI, and step out only when the AQI is good. Stay at home. If you must go out, wear a mask. An N95 mask is better than a regular mask. “Those who don’t have any underlying respiratory or heart problems but are normal can have chest congestion, chest pain and breathing problems – especially the young and older age group people can have problems with problems.” When to Exercise Amidst Rising Pollution? If someone needs to exercise, he should do it during the afternoon when the sun is out and when it’s warm, so that pollution at ground level is reduced, says Guleria. “Don’t go out for exercise early in the morning or late at night because of cold air. When the sun comes out, ground level pollution becomes very high.” Guleria also advised people to consult the doctor if they have any breathing problems, discomfort or cough. New Delhi, Oct 22 (ANI): A view of the area around Akshardham Temple shrouded in smog as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi weakened to ‘Very Poor’ category on Wednesday. High pollution levels can cause heart attacks: Dr Naresh Trehan Meanwhile, Medanta – The Medicity chairman and managing director Dr Naresh Trehan said the recent rise in AQI over 500 is worrying as it seriously affects people with asthma, heart disease or hypertension. “High pollution levels, caused by particulates and toxic gases, can cause heart attacks, strokes and respiratory distress,” Trehan said. AQI levels An AQI between 0 and 50 is ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. Less pollution on Diwali this year: Rekha Gupta Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Wednesday that her government was taking all necessary steps with “greater vigilance” to combat pollution, adding, “The air pollution in the city on Diwali night was less this year than the previous year.” “The pre- and post-Diwali gap (between average AQI) this year is less compared to the previous year, even though fire crackers were allowed this time,” Gupta said.