Gurgaon: As air quality continues to worsen over the past six days, residents are experiencing significant health impacts, with the elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory and heart conditions being particularly vulnerable.
Arun Gaur, 78, hasn’t stepped out of his home in a long time. Even indoors, he can smell smoke in the air and wears an N95 mask. The Sector-89 resident is taking nebulisers and medicines for a breathing ailment. “Now that the winter is here, the air purifier at home will run throughout the day. I am facing breathing difficulties even indoors, and my eyes start burning if I step out,” Gaur said.
“The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) isn’t the solution as the govt needs to take preventive action instead of dealing with its effects,” he said, adding that local sources of pollution like garbage burning and road dust need to be addressed.
The deteriorating air quality has led to widespread health concerns across age groups. Many in the city are facing difficulty in breathing, apart from eye irritation, throat discomfort, headaches, exhaustion and skin problems due to the contaminated atmosphere.
A 53-year-old resident of Nirvana in Sector-50 said he has been facing breathing difficulties during this time of the year for three years now. “I use a nebuliser. I feel weak and sluggish constantly, have cough, difficulty in breathing and itching and burning in the eyes,” Komal Rawat said.
Sachin Nanda, who is in his 60s and is suffering from a heart disease, experienced sudden chest pain and was brought to Shivam Hospital on Monday. “He has not been able to sleep for two days. He was on sleeping pills. He was coughing all night and was having difficulty in breathing,” said Nita, 58, Sachin’s wife. Doctors have prescribed Sachin an inhaler.
Experts warned people — especially those with lung ailments — to avoid going outdoors unless necessary. Dr Sunil Sekhri, associate consultant – internal medicine, Max Hospital, said, “Sore throat, burning eyes, and dry cough are very common complaints these days due to the rising levels of pollution in the city. People should stay indoors as much as possible, turn on their ACs and use a good-quality air purifier. If one has to go out, they should wear a mask. Avoid early morning walks and opt for gym instead.”
Doctors also advised people to wear goggles along with N95 masks. “Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), an eye irritant, is produced by the photochemical smog and results in irritation and inflammation of eyes and possible conjunctivitis. Preventive measures should be taken like using lubricant eye drops and wearing goggles,” said Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, head of critical care and pulmonology, CK Birla Hospital.
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