Delhi air pollution can affect brain development in younger children: Doctors

As Delhi's air quality deteriorates to the 'severe' category, doctors say pollution might increase the risk of Covid-19 infections in the national capital and can also hinder brain development in younger children.

"With winter and fog, Covid-19 infections may increase as there's a risk of the virus being entrapped in droplets in the environment with cold air above us," Dr Arunesh Kumar, Head of Department (HOD) of Pulmonology at Gurugram's Paras Hospital said. "Shouldn't be comparing, but both (Covid-19 and air pollution) are equally dangerous. In a way, pollution is a perennial phenomenon. It's nothing new for us. Delhi's average AQI, barring a few months of total lockdown, is never normal. It's important to recognise that in that context our environment is never healthy. We always breathe polluted air," he added. Also read | Punjab Cabinet meeting postponed to November 7 Dr Kumar said, "Most of the time it's about the duration of pollution which matters rather than the acute surge. In Delhi-NCR, we're more prone to be awake when there's a trigger as people feel that suddenly their breathing problems get worse. But the fact is our AQI is never normal." Expressing concern over the effect air pollution is having on people, especially the younger children, Dr Naresh Trehan of Medanta Hospital said, "People are complaining of headaches and breathing problems. Young children are very vulnerable and this pollution can affect their brain development." "Our hospital is full of patients. So this is a difficult phase for us. Every year we face this problem, but have failed to address or correct it," he added. Also read | Punjab: APS Deol takes on Navjot Sidhu, says he is 'obstructing' govt's functioning As per the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the air quality would not improve until Sunday evening. The improvement would, however, just fluctuate in the 'very poor' category. According to SAFAR, the concentrations of PM 2.5 stood at 436 i.e 'severe' category, in Delhi on Saturday. Meanwhile, the pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) --- Noida and Gurugram --- were also worrisome. Noida reported AQI in the 'hazardous' category at 523, while the air quality in Gurugram was at the upper end of the 'severe' category at 469. -PTC News