Mumbai : With the beginning of Diwali, city health experts advise those suffering from asthma, bronchitis, heart and lung diseases to be extra careful as they are at a high risk of falling prey to complications following the rise in levels of air pollutants.
They add that with the cool climate, the air pollutant levels and toxins being released from the crackers pose a threat of life-threatening illnesses for children and elderly.
Doctors informed that even if people try to not come in direct contact with firecrackers or areas where they are burst, the toxins and harmful particles are absorbed in the environment which is a major cause of concern.
Dr Prashant Chhajed, chest physician at Lung Care and Sleep Study Centre, said: “When people, especially with asthma and bronchitis, breathe the polluted air, they start developing itching in the eyes, running nose and skin rashes. The major cause is that winter is setting in and therefore the air pollutants settle in the lower level of the atmosphere and the toxins released from the crackers also settle at the lowest level turning the air harmful for breathing.”
“Also, in extreme cases, people might suffer from an attack which can turn fatal for them,” the doctor cautioned.
Therefore, health experts have emphasised that people suffering from these diseases should not discontinue or skip any dose of their medication and should follow up with their doctor.
They should further avoid stepping out of the homes as the polluted air can turn out to be dangerous for these people.
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Pollution forecast for city:
DAY AIR QUALITY INDEX
November 10 (Tuesday) 222
November 11 (Wednesday) 259
November 12 (Thursday) 282
*Figures above 100 indicate pollution
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