New Delhi: As air quality continues to deteriorate across major Indian cities, a group of Padma awardee doctors and senior medical experts has issued an urgent national health advisory, declaring that India is currently facing a “significant public health emergency.” Toxic smog has engulfed Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and several northern regions, pushing pollution levels into the hazardous zone and sparking widespread concern among healthcare professionals.
Rising Pollution Poses Severe Risk Across Age Groups
The advisory warns that worsening air pollution is endangering people across all age groups, with children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and individuals suffering from respiratory or cardiac illnesses facing the highest risks. According to an ANI report, the deteriorating air quality has already led to increased respiratory distress cases in hospitals, prompting experts to demand immediate protective measures.
Clean Air Declared a Basic Necessity
Signed by more than 80 leading medical experts, the advisory emphasises that clean air is a fundamental human need and asserts that urgent collective action is required to safeguard public health. The doctors underline that prolonged exposure to polluted air can trigger severe illnesses and weaken immunity, making the population more vulnerable to long-term health complications.
Toxic Air Fueling Respiratory and Cardiac Complications
The doctors note that hazardous air is intensifying asthma attacks, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes, and worsening chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. They especially warn that long-term exposure may cause irreversible lung damage in children, who are particularly susceptible to pollution-related diseases due to their still-developing respiratory systems.
Practical Protective Measures Recommended
To minimise health risks, the advisory recommends using air purifiers wherever possible and wearing N95 masks when outdoors. It urges people to avoid outdoor physical exercise during peak pollution hours and keep doors and windows closed during periods of extremely poor air quality. For households without air purifiers, low-cost solutions such as wet-mopping floors, avoiding incense and candles, preventing indoor smoke, and maintaining adequate kitchen ventilation are advised.
Extra Precautions for Vulnerable Populations
Special guidance has been issued for vulnerable groups, including suspending school outdoor activities for children, restricting exposure for pregnant women and elderly citizens, and encouraging timely medical consultation for those with asthma, COPD or heart ailments. The advisory emphasises that neglecting early symptoms may lead to serious complications under current pollution conditions.
Community and Government Action Urged
The doctors have also outlined community-level measures such as avoiding waste burning, reducing vehicle emissions, and reporting construction-related dust pollution. They have called on governments to implement stronger pollution control measures, stricter enforcement, and AQI-based public health advisories to protect citizens during hazardous air quality days.
Slight Improvement Recorded in Delhi’s Air Quality
Despite the alarming situation, Delhi witnessed a noticeable improvement in air quality on Thursday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to around 300, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). While still categorised as “very poor,” the improvement has offered a temporary relief to residents battling days of thick smog.
