Delhi is troubled by pollution. Due to this, not only respiratory diseases are increasing but the risk of cancer is also increasing. At the same time, experts say that polluted air causes irritation and swelling in the respiratory tract, which affects the functioning of the lungs. Meanwhile, the government has said that there is no concrete data that shows a direct link between high levels of AQI and lung diseases. However, in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh admitted that air pollution is one of the factors increasing respiratory diseases and related diseases.
Kirti Vardhan Singh said this in a written reply to the question of BJP member Laxmikant Bajpai. Bajpayee had asked – Is the government aware that studies and clinical trials have confirmed that long-term exposure to dangerous AQI levels in Delhi-NCR is causing fibrosis in the lungs? This reduces lung capacity.
Is there any solution to protect against such diseases?
Bajpayee had also asked – Has the elasticity of lungs in the citizens of Delhi-NCR reduced by about 50 percent as compared to the people living in cities with good AQI? Does the government have any solution to save the people of Delhi-NCR from diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, emphysema, decreasing lung function and continuously decreasing lung elasticity.
In response, the Minister said, dedicated training modules have been developed in the area of air pollution for program managers, medical officers and nurses, nodal officers, frontline workers like ASHAs, vulnerable groups including women and children and occupationally affected groups like traffic police and municipal corporation personnel.
What else did the minister tell?
He said, information, education and communication material targeting diseases related to air pollution has been prepared in English, Hindi and regional languages. The National Program on Climate Change and Human Health has also developed IEC materials for vulnerable groups. Air quality forecasts, along with alert systems for air pollution, are disseminated to states and cities by the Meteorological Department. So that the sensitive population can get help in preparation.
Also read- Risk of respiratory diseases, cancer… How much damage is pollution causing to your lungs?
The minister said, the objective of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is to protect the health of women and children by providing clean cooking fuel in the form of liquefied petroleum gas. Under the government’s Swachh Bharat Mission, roads, pathways and infrastructure are cleaned in cities, towns and rural areas. Clean air is an integral component of this.
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