World Asthma Day 2017: High air pollution levels in India caused 43%
rise in sales of anti-asthma drugs in 4 years
New Delhi: Delhi, the national
capital of India, is among the world's most polluted cities, with the air
pollution levels spiking far beyond safety limits.
In November last year post Diwali,
the national witnessed the worst smog, also known as the 'Great smog of Delhi'.
Data showed the levels of PM2.5 and PM 10 particulate matter hit 999 micrograms
per cubic meter, while the safe limits for those pollutants are 60 and 100
respectively. Tiny suspended particles (PM2.5) that penetrate deep into the
airways and lungs can cause asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, stroke and a host of other diseases.
According to a WHO survey of 1600
world cities, Delhi's air quality is the worst in the world. However, two other
Indian cities - Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, and Raipur in Chhattisgarh - were
have worse air quality than Delhi. It is said that 13 of the 25 cities
worldwide with the highest levels of PM are in India.
Air pollution is the fifth largest
killer in India, claiming 1.5 million lives every year. In the national capital
alone, poor quality air damages irreversibly the lungs of 2.2 million or 50
percent of all children. As Delhi's air pollution levels increase, cases of
severe breathlessness, asthma and allergy have sharply risen in the national
capital.
Market data shows there has been a
43 percent rise in the sales of medicines to treat respiratory disorders,
particularly asthma, in India over the past four years. The year 2016 also saw
a 15 percent growth in anti-asthma prescriptions across children and adults in
the country.
Health experts say the number of
people being diagnosed with asthma for the first time with no family history is
rising sharply due to high air pollution. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that
inflames and narrows the airways, making it difficult to breathe.
India has the world's highest death
rate from chronic respiratory diseases and asthma, according to the WHO. WHO
estimates between 15 and 20 million people have asthma in India, with children
(5-11 years) being the worst affected. However, some studies put the numbers
higher at 30 million.
Only he who can see the invisible
can do the impossible
Frank L. Gaines
No comments:
Post a Comment