Delhi-NCR Air Pollution Hits Hard: Survey Reveals 3 In 4 Households Already Feeling Toxic Impact

Amid a rise in the air pollution level in Delhi, a survey report has made a shocking revelation stating that three out of four households in Delhi-NCR are already experiencing the ill-effects of toxic air.

According to an online survey conducted by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles, common complaints from the citizens range from sore throat, cough, burning eyes, headaches and disturbed sleep.

The survey results were calculated based on responses rom over 44,000 residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.

According to the survey results, 42 per cent of the households reported that one or more members were suffering from a sore throat or cough, while 25 per cent said family members had burning eyes, headaches or difficulty sleeping.

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Apart from that, 17 per cent reported breathing difficulties or aggravated asthma. LocalCircles survey found that 44 per cent of households were trying to minimise outdoor exposure and increase intake of immunity-boosting foods and drinks to mitigate the risks of poor air quality.

Nearly one-third of respondents said they had consulted or planned to consult doctors for pollution-related ailments.

CPCB data suggests that post-Diwali, PM 2.5 levels have touched 488 micrograms per cubic metre, which is the highest in five years and over three times the pre-festival level of 156.6 micrograms per cubic metre.

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The pollution level peaked during Diwali night on October 20 and the next morning. The highest level of PM2.5 was witnessed even as stubble burning incidents reduced by 77.5 per cent in Punjab and Haryana due to floods and delayed harvests.

LocalCircles said the findings emphasise that residents are "already feeling the impact of toxic air" and the authorities should strictly enforce anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including deployment of smog guns and night-time sweeping to reduce dust.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi's overall AQI on Saturday morning stood in the "poor" category at 261, down from 290 a day earlier. However, Anand Vihar recorded a "severe" AQI of 415, the highest among all monitoring stations.

(With PTI Inputs)