Guwahati Air Pollution: Guwahati residents are facing a severe air pollution crisis, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading 307 in the Very Poor category.
The primary pollutant, PM2.5, was measured at 106 g/m3 at 7 a.m. on February 22, well above the World Health Organization’s safe limits. Some areas of the city also reported a 318 AQI drop.
According to the Air Quality Index, Guwahati is ranked 13th out of the top 50 most polluted cities in the world, while Delhi is ranked 37th.
Meanwhile, Guwahati, Agartala, and Gangtok are among the world’s 50 most polluted cities.
Meanwhile, Guwahati’s rampant air pollution has posed a serious threat to children’s health.
Also Read: Guwahati: Air quality in Guwahati turns ‘Very Poor’ with AQI at 307
Recent research suggests that exposure to particulate air pollution may also be linked to an acute heart attack. This could be due to a sympathetic stress response, as evidenced by changes in heart rate variability, cytokine production, and an increased vulnerability to plaque rupture. Doctors identify carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and small particulate matter (less than 10 microns and less than 2.5 microns) as responsible pollutants.
There is mounting evidence that the environment plays a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Children under the age of five and adults over the age of 50 are the most vulnerable. According to the WHO’s global assessment of the disease burden from environmental risks, modifiable environmental factors are responsible for 23% of global deaths and 26% of deaths among children under the age of five.
5 Tips To Protect Your Heart from Air Pollution:
Short-distance commutes or trips to the neighbourhood market can be accomplished by walking or cycling. Plan and combine all of your errands in one location or nearby areas for a single trip. Reduce your driving and carpool.
For longer distances, use public transportation as much as possible. If you must use your vehicle, keep it in good working order with regular servicing to reduce harmful exhaust emissions and get pollution checks as needed. Respect speed limits. Avoid purchasing a diesel vehicle.
In the last 24 hours, 36 children have been admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital with complaints of respiratory diseases.#Batori24 #AssamNews #GuwahatiAirQuality #Guwahatiairpollution #Fog #AssamNews #Guwahati #guwahatinews https://t.co/UDxpDsc25I
— Batori 24 (@Batori24news) February 22, 2023
You can also use local air pollution data to plan your day and limit your exposure as much as possible.
More trees should be planted. To reduce dust, limit the amount of bare soil by growing grass. Sprinkle water on exposed soil or construction sites on a regular basis to reduce dust generation. Mop the floors at home or at work.
Face masks are useful when the air quality is particularly poor on any given day, but they do not provide complete protection from contaminated air. Although industrial masks are thought to be the most effective, even the most basic can filter out larger particles such as dust. Some masks are labelled N-95 or P-100 and may include disposable respirators.
