A 55-year-old factory supervisor's mysterious breathing illness has shed light on a silent public health crisis unfolding across Delhi-NCR. Experts are warning that dangerously high levels of toxic mercury in the city's air—found to be 13 times the global average in a recent study—are causing severe respiratory damage, a problem that often goes undiagnosed in the general population.

A Patient's Story Uncovers A Hidden Danger

The issue came to the forefront through the case of Som Prakash, a supervisor from a factory in Bawana. After suffering from persistent breathing difficulties, he received inconclusive treatment at a government hospital. Desperate for answers, he sought a second opinion at a private facility, where a digital X-ray revealed the shocking cause: his lungs were filled with microscopic mercury particles that were slowly cutting off his oxygen supply. The diagnosis forced him to leave his job and undergo extensive treatment.

Health experts say Som Prakash's story is just the tip of the iceberg. Countless others in the region are likely suffering from similar ailments without ever knowing the cause due to a gap in the healthcare system. Advanced diagnostic tools are often unavailable in government hospitals, while private care is unaffordable for many, leaving the true scale of the crisis unknown.

Scientific Study Confirms Alarming Mercury Levels

The anecdotal evidence is backed by alarming scientific data. A six-year study by the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IIITM) confirmed that Delhi's air contains the highest concentration of mercury in South Asia.

The study found Delhi's atmospheric mercury level to be 6.9 nanograms per cubic meter (ng/m³), drastically higher than Ahmedabad (2.1 ng/m³) and Pune (1.5 ng/m³). Researchers concluded that up to 92 per cent of this toxic metal comes from human activities like coal burning, industrial emissions, and traffic. The concentration worsens during winter nights due to stubble burning and stable weather conditions that trap pollutants.

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"A Top 10 Global Health Threat"

Mercury is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern.

"Long-term mercury exposure, even in small amounts over five to ten years, is hazardous," warns Dr Gufran Beg, Chair Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. "It damages the nervous system, digestive system, immune system, kidneys, and lungs."

The mechanism of injury is direct and insidious. "Microscopic mercury particles travel down the respiratory tract to the lungs, where they begin to block the small pathways for oxygen," explains Dr Sukriti Azad, a former senior resident at Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital. "This causes difficulty in breathing and can sometimes lead to asthma. The worrying part is that identifying such patients is not easy."

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