Mumbai : Increase in air pollutant levels in the environment has been causing adverse impact on people’s health with city doctors claiming that they have witnessed 30 to 40 per cent rise in the patients complaining of asthma, bronchitis, respiratory and lung problems in past three weeks.
The air quality index of Mumbai was measured between 100 and 150 on Friday, which is considered to pose high risk of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart and lung diseases and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and elderly. This was revealed by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) sources.
City health experts mentioned that emission of gases such as suspended particulate matters, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide in the environment is unhealthy and is directly affecting people’s lungs leading to respiratory issues. Further, they added that children and elderly are the worst sufferers due to air pollution, especially those who are already suffering from some respiratory problem.
When asked, Dr Behram Pardiwala, consultant medicine expert at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai Central, said, “We are witnessing patients turning up with complaints of dry cough and breathlessness. The current scenario of our environment is unhealthy and the air quality of our city is turning to be dangerous.” City doctors added they have observed that even healthy people and those showing no history of smoking or lung ailments are also falling prey to respiratory problems.
Manasi Tahalani
