Back in the 80s and 90s, Pankaja Sarathi would look forward to the winters in Delhi. There was plenty to love about this time of the year back then: the dense fog, accompanied by fresh air, basking in the afternoon sun, and the vibrant markets brimming with colours.
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Today, as soon as winter marks its arrival, the 70-year-old packs up and heads to Bengaluru to stay with her daughter. Delhi’s worsening air quality has wreaked havoc on her lungs.
She has been diagnosed with bronchiectasis; a CT scan revealed that the lower lobe of her lungs now resembles a ‘honeycomb’, making breathing very difficult. A stark reminder that the damage air pollution inflicts on our health can often go unnoticed until after it has worsened.
LATEST: Research shows 2 inflammatory markers were elevated in heart failure patients who were exposed to poor #airquality. Indicating that #AirPollution puts more strain on the bodies of patients who already have heart problems. https://t.co/Eq55EEhJ2e
Looking to understand where India is in curbing air pollution? 👇🏽
"Scientists and policymakers are ready with their policies. Unless Indians outrage or seriously demand clean air, political leaders will not act," says researcher.
https://t.co/SwrEsODsys
The absence of a dedicated green party in India is glaring.
*Green politics is a political ideology that aims to create an ecologically sustainable society rooted in environmentalism, nonviolence, social justice, and grassroots democracy. https://t.co/Igh6hqOrlq
'All coal power plants in Delhi-NCR have reported SO2 emissions up to three times over the prescribed limits.'
Why are coal plants being allowed to imperil our lives @MinOfPower@OfficeOfRKSingh?
https://t.co/ZEUzVmCPrj
On Friday, contribution of stubble burning to PM2.5 levels in Delhi was estimated at around 2.2%. Now, emissions from Delhi itself and surrounding districts in the NCR have contributed to high PM2.5 levels. https://t.co/ACdZKOxfaI
⚠�� From festival of lights, Diwali is turning into a festival of pollution ~ peak PM 2.5, PM 10, carbon monoxide, atmospheric ammonia, nitrous oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO) observed in most cities on Diwali day. https://t.co/C0FIcFKmSw
And neighbouring Jharkhand has no functional pollution monitoring station and thus - no data on PM 2.5 since the last two years.
#AirPollution
https://t.co/WfwX2C2DXI
India was the world's 8th most polluted country in 2022, dropping from 5th place in 2021. While the PM 2.5 level has dipped it is still over 10 times the World Health Organisation's safe limit.
https://t.co/IY6elkEHrM
It can be depressing to see how #AirPollution in India is covering more and more territory. However, it is also uplifting to see that people are speaking up, petitioning civic authorities and representatives to ACT.
https://t.co/7e9EA69C6I
#AirPollution ⚠️
"During the winter that has just gone by, Kolkata & Mumbai were the most polluted after Delhi, while Bengaluru & Chennai saw the fastest worsening..."
https://t.co/9OHMosrQzo
'Smoke generated by the fire was also causing nausea and dizziness among the firefighters. At least 20 officials from the fire department had developed breathing issues'
#Kochi
https://t.co/S6et4wQTcC