Indore air stays poor for third day, AQI above 300; respiratory patients up by up to 50%

The pollution from Diwali firecrackers in Indore has not cleared even three days later. On Tuesday, the city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded above 300 for the third consecutive day. It was 288 on Monday, an increase of about 6 per cent.

Along with firecracker smoke, a fall in temperature, low wind speed and heavier road traffic after the end of the holidays are being cited as causes. The poor air is showing in people's health. The number of patients with breathing complaints has risen by up to about 50 per cent in government and private hospitals and clinics.

According to Dr Dilip Waghela, a former scientist with the pollution control board, the effect of pollutants released into the air by firecrackers can generally last about 72 hours. The weather is also preventing pollution from easing for now. Wind speed is only 2 to 3 km an hour. The night temperature was recorded at 14 degrees, 1.6 degrees below normal. He said that because of inversion and the aerosol effect, a layer of dust and smoke is hanging in the atmosphere, so pollutants are not dispersing easily. He said that to bring pollution down, the municipal corporation will have to focus on sprinkling water on roads, regular cleaning and other necessary measures.

According to the online data of the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Indore's average AQI at 5 pm on Tuesday was about 306. PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels were also around 300. The AQI was 343 at Meghdoot Park, while at Chhoti Gwaltoli too it stayed above 300. On Diwali night, November 8, the city's average AQI was 221.

According to pulmonologist Dr Ravi Dosi, hospitals are seeing people with no earlier breathing problem seeking treatment, along with long-standing patients of asthma, bronchitis and COPD. About 140 patients came to the respiratory OPD of MR TB Hospital on Tuesday, of whom roughly 30 per cent were new. According to hospital superintendent Dr Sanjay Awasiya, rising pollution has also worsened the suffering of people already living with respiratory illness.

Some serious cases have also come up. A 60-year-old woman from Vallabh Nagar, who has asthma, developed a severe cough and difficulty breathing from Sunday night. As her condition worsened, she had to be admitted to a private hospital in the morning. A 56-year-old man from Clerk Colony complained of a severe cough and chest tightness. On Tuesday, a doctor, going by the initial symptoms, advised him to take an inhaler and other medicines regularly.

Experts have asked children, the elderly, pregnant women and patients of asthma, COPD or heart disease to take special care. For the next few days, people should avoid early-morning walks, running and exercising outdoors. If going out is necessary, wear a well-fitting mask. Stay away from areas with heavy traffic, construction and industrial activity. At home, use a wet mop instead of a broom so that dust does not rise. See a doctor in case of breathlessness, chest pain or tightness, persistent cough, dizziness and irritation in the eyes.