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Air pollution behind poor lung capacity among kids: study
Context:
A report released by the Hazards Centre revealed that air pollution is behind poor lung capacity among children in Delhi
About the Study:
- Particulate matter pollution was monitored over 15 different locations in Delhi
- The study was conducted for more than three months in a row this winter on a sample size of 343
- The study conducted a peak flow test (done to measure how well your lungs are working by assessing how quickly one can blow air)
- Tests were conducted in areas where the monitors are installed, and out of the 15 locations, the samples for the health study were taken from 11 different areas.
- The samples were collected from Holambi, Bhalaswa, Ayanagar, Punjabi Bagh, Wazirpur, Seelampur, Seemapuri, Saket, Okhla-NFC, Badarpur-TGK and Munirka.
Highlights of the Report:
- The study revealed 80% of the sample population had unhealthy or below the normal lung functioning.
- The study also found that in the southern and northern peripheries of the city children seem to have better health
- However, air is of poor quality in the entire city
Air Pollution in Delhi:
The air quality monitoring highlighted the fact that there is a base pollution load across Delhi of about 300 ug/m3 for PM10 and 200 ug/m3 for PM2.5, which is three times higher than the approved limits
Causes of the air pollution
- The source of pollution is located in Delhi
- Industrial emission and vehicle fumes which has been sealed by cool temperature and still winds is the main reason behind this pollution
- At the same time, mass burning of crop waste across the north Indian hinterland has sent dense smoke
The impact
- Severe air pollution has caused a public health crisis in Delhi
- It not only causes respiratory diseases but in the longer term, consistent poor quality air is seen to be altering the demographics of cancer in the city.