Delhi smog: What you should do and what not

Delhi-NCR has been witnessing one of the worst levels of air quality in Delhi since 1999.

The toxic smog – caused due to stubble burning by farmers in Punjab & Haryana – has enveloped sky since first week of November, but the situation worsened on Tuesday and Wednesday. The air quality depleted further and touched calamitous levels.

RELATED STORY: India becoming world’s top sulfur dioxide emitter, says study

RELATED STORY: Delhi smog – Assocham urges govt for innovative solutions

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index scored 487 on a scale of 500, indicating ‘severe’ levels of pollution, which can affect even healthy people and “seriously impact” those with existing diseases.

Keeping in mind the health vulnerability of seniors and children, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued a health advisory.

Here are the Dos & Don’ts

1. Remain indoors if you have breathing difficulty and try to keep children indoors as much as possible.

2. Avoid morning walk or any other strenuous outdoor activity that increases breathing rate

3. Drink plenty of water and fluids

4. Avoid smoking.

5. Minimise the use of deodorants and room sprays as much as possible.

6. Avoid the areas with smoke or heavy dust.

7. If you have any heart ailments or chronic respiratory disease or asthma, continue your medication as advised by physician

8. In case of any difficulty in breathing, increase in breathing rate, palpitations or severe bout of coughing and/or sneezing consult for medical assistance.