More than half a million Indians are estimated to have died prematurely in 2015 due to particulate matter (PM) 2.5 air pollution. PM2.5 is one of the deadliest components of air pollution.
As Delhi and its adjoining areas see constant dip in the air quality, medical experts came up with a health advisory that suggested against outdoor exercises, saying "there is no safe time to be outdoors".
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‘Exercising is vital for health but not when we are breathing poison. A normal adult breathes approximately six litres of air per minute at rest, during exercising it increases to 20 liters.’
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According to the advisory, while the city with high volume of pollutants in the air is bad for exercising, running or participating in a marathon can add at least two tablespoonfuls of toxic ash to the lungs.
Wednesday saw a further fall in Delhi's air, with Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 440 to 400 considered "severe" being recorded at different locations including R.K Puram and Siri Fort in South Delhi, Delhi Technical University (DTU) in North Delhi, ITO in Central Delhi, Anand Vihar in Northeast Delhi and Punjabi Bagh in West Delhi.
![Air Pollution May Increase Stroke Risk]( "Air Pollution May Increase Stroke Risk")
Earlier it was believed that pollution only increased the risk of heart problems, but it also possesses the capability to damage inner linings of veins and arteries.
The data was based on the readings of monitoring stations of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
All other regions in Delhi and NCR recorded either "severe" or "very poor" air quality, with PM2.5, or particles with diameter less than 2.5mm, acting as the major pollutant.
"Running a marathon in these air conditions can deposit approximately two tablespoonfuls of toxic ash in your lungs," the advisory stated, adding that it was vital to plan exercise environment very carefully.
The PM2.5 value of 10 monitoring stations of the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) was found ranging between 392 and 326 units against the permissible limit of 60 units as per national standards and 25 units as per international standards.
"The current level of air pollution in Delhi affects even the unborn child in mother's womb," advisory added.
The advisory points out that while a normal adult breathes approximately six litres of air per minute at rest, during exercising it increases to 20 liters. With current air-pollution in Delhi and NCR, this increases toxins in lungs. "Exercising is vital for health but not when we are breathing poison."
The advisory endorsed by seven medical practitioners, including those from the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Chest Surgery of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital states that even N-95 standard masks, which stops fine particles, "could be suffocating while exercising".
"Exercise areas should be at least 200 meters away from roads, construction sites and smoke-emitting industry," advisory says, adding that "even this does not guarantee clean air".
Source: IANS
Air Pollution May Increase Stroke Risk
Earlier it was believed that pollution only increased the risk of heart problems, but it also possesses the capability to damage inner linings of veins and arteries.
Advertisement
The data was based on the readings of monitoring stations of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
All other regions in Delhi and NCR recorded either "severe" or "very poor" air quality, with PM2.5, or particles with diameter less than 2.5mm, acting as the major pollutant.
"Running a marathon in these air conditions can deposit approximately two tablespoonfuls of toxic ash in your lungs," the advisory stated, adding that it was vital to plan exercise environment very carefully.
The PM2.5 value of 10 monitoring stations of the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) was found ranging between 392 and 326 units against the permissible limit of 60 units as per national standards and 25 units as per international standards.
"The current level of air pollution in Delhi affects even the unborn child in mother's womb," advisory added.
The advisory points out that while a normal adult breathes approximately six litres of air per minute at rest, during exercising it increases to 20 liters. With current air-pollution in Delhi and NCR, this increases toxins in lungs. "Exercising is vital for health but not when we are breathing poison."
The advisory endorsed by seven medical practitioners, including those from the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Chest Surgery of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital states that even N-95 standard masks, which stops fine particles, "could be suffocating while exercising".
"Exercise areas should be at least 200 meters away from roads, construction sites and smoke-emitting industry," advisory says, adding that "even this does not guarantee clean air".
Source: IANS
Air Pollution In India Accountable For 9 Million Premature Deaths
The rate of premature deaths in India has been increasing at an alarming rate, from 2,140 deaths per day in 1990, it has reached to 3,280 in 2015.
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