India The period from October to March is not only the time of winter and festivals, but during this period many states in northern India are badly affected by smog and air pollution. Crackers are burst across the country on Diwali, Christmas and New Year. After Diwali, some farmers burn stubble in the fields after harvesting paddy, the smoke of which causes air pollution. This pollution is dangerous for asthma or respiratory diseases.
According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, approximately 46% of global asthma deaths occur in India. Every year, 2 million people die due to asthma in India.
Furthermore, air pollution constitutes a serious problem for people suffering from Covid-19. In this situation, devices such as HEPA and carbon air purifiers can save the lives of these patients.
Therefore, today in the needs news we will talk about how dangerous firecracker smoke and stubble is for asthma patients. You will also learn that-
Who should pay more attention? How do HEPA and carbon air purifiers protect against air pollution?
Question: How many people have asthma in India?
Answer – The number of asthma patients is continuously increasing in India. According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), more than 3.5 million people in India suffer from asthma. This number is the highest compared to any other country in the world. Its cases are increasing rapidly and continuously among children and the elderly.
This problem has become even more serious due to construction work and smoke emanating from vehicles in urban areas of India. Even in rural areas, there is an increase in the number of asthma patients due to stubble burning, use of wood and cow dung in cooking and other pollution-related reasons.
Question: For whom is firecracker smoke most dangerous?
Answer- Smoke from firecrackers contains harmful elements like nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. These toxic gases reach the lungs when breathing. Apart from people suffering from problems like asthma and post-Covid, smoke from firecrackers can also harm the elderly, children and pregnant women.
Smoke from firecrackers is dangerous for children due to their weak immune systems. Besides, it is also harmful to elderly people. Due to age, their health is already fragile. In such a situation, the polluted air can damage their lungs and throat. Additionally, exposure to pollution during pregnancy can harm the child’s development in the womb.
Question- How does smoke from firecrackers and stubble harm the body?
Answer: The toxic elements present in the smoke from stubble and firecrackers reach the lungs through the respiratory tract. These toxic elements harm the lungs. PM2.5 (particulate matter) is found in thatch smoke.
These particles are 2.5 micrometers or less. Because of this, people may experience problems such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing.
According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) report, the average age of people living in areas with polluted air is decreasing. People exposed to high levels of air pollution, especially PM2.5 (particulate matter). Life expectancy has decreased by 1.5 to. 2 years.
Along with this, an increase in health problems such as heart and lungs has been recorded among people living in these areas. Particles 2.5 are particles thirty times smaller than the thickness of our hair. These particles are deposited on the inner surface of our lungs. Prolonged exposure to these substances can cause lung cancer or other serious illnesses. Along with this, it weakens our mental health and immune system. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can cause diseases like asthma and bronchitis.
Question: What types of precautions can be taken at home to avoid air pollution?
Answer – These measures can be adopted to protect us from increasing air pollution.
Keep the windows and doors of the house closed so that outside pollution cannot enter. When the outdoor air quality index (AQI) reaches dangerous levels, people with asthma should stay indoors. Do not smoke indoors as this increases the risk of asthma. . It is very dangerous for patients. Use a humidifier inside the house to maintain humidity. Consume fresh fruits and green vegetables to increase immunity.
Question: How do HEPA and carbon air purifiers work?
Answer: High-efficiency particulate matter (HEPA) and carbon air purifiers are gadgets designed to purify the air. There are many types of gadgets available in the market that work as air purifiers. However, not all gadgets come with HEPA and carbon filters.
HEPA Filters Cigarette filters filter particles as small as 0.3 microns, cigarette smoke, pet hair and dander. While the carbon filter removes odors from the air. In such a situation, this air purifier can prove to be very beneficial for asthma patients. You can also gift this air filter to your loved ones. You can buy it from the market or online at very affordable prices.
Question: How dangerous is the level of air pollution in India?
Answer – Many Indian cities are among the most polluted cities in the world. According to mid-year data from the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research (CREA), Meghalaya’s Burnihat city was found to be the most polluted city in the country during the survey conducted from January 2024 to June 2024. After this, the air quality index of many cities, including Haryana’s Faridabad, capital Delhi, Gurugram and Bhagalpur of Bihar, was found to be dangerously poor. Due to this pollution, respiratory diseases are rapidly increasing among the population.
Question: What steps is the government taking to stop the increasing air pollution in India?
Answer – In 2019, the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) was launched by the Government of India to control air pollution. In this context, work is underway to improve the air quality of 102 non-compliant cities. Such cities have been included in this list, which have failed to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAAQS) standards for 5 consecutive years. It also includes 43 smart cities. The government has taken several measures to reduce air pollution. For this, rules have been established for different industries and sectors. Online equipment has been installed for 24/7 monitoring in 17 major polluting areas. The burning of biomass has been banned. However, despite this, stubble is burned in many North Indian states. The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was introduced to measure air quality. The metro and the bus are favored in public transport. There are many more improvements included in this, let’s understand them through graphics.
………………………….. about the need News about the need – Pollution has become the enemy of life in Delhi Age is decreasing every year, adopt these measures to avoid it.
According to a Lancet study, 16% of people worldwide die prematurely due to pollution. Looking at the country as a whole, the report states that the average age of India’s population has decreased by around five years due to pollution. …