No breather from pollution ...Respiratory problems peak on Diwali, weather could make things worse

Prithvijit Mitra, TNN, Nov 8, 2018, KOLKATA: A spurt in lung and respiratory ailments has coincided with the bursting of crackers during Kali Puja and Diwali, which has pushed pollution levels up. While the elderly, children and those with existing respiratory or cardiac diseases have been affected more, doctors warn that an imminent temperature drop could make the pollutants linger and make it even worse for sufferers.

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Even though fewer noisemaking crackers were burst this time, they were replaced with light-emitting ones that are more polluting, say experts. “It is evident from the greater volume of smoke that we have seen this time,” said Ranjan Das, respiratory medicine consultant at CMRI Hospital.

“It has mixed with the prewinter fog to form a wall of smog, which is dangerous for those prone to lung ailments. Children, asthma patients and those suffering from COPD and cardiac diseases have been falling prey. The harmful metal particles produced by the crackers get trapped in the smog, which refuses to rise if the temperature is low. It is dangerous to inhale these.” He added that not only should smoke from firecrackers be avoided, morning walks should now also be on hold since the smog persists till 9am.

Doctors said that upper respiratory tract infection and asthma attacks have also shot up. This is just the beginning of the year’s worst period in terms of pollution and things will get much worse in the coming weeks, they feared. With the Met office having predicted a sharp four-degree temperature drop from Friday, the polluting haze could thicken over Kolkata. Once that happens, the number of respiratory patients will rise manifold, said consultant Arindam Biswas. “As it gets cooler, the haze will thicken and hang low for a longer period. The trapped particulate matter will lead to lung infections, trigger asthma attacks and heart ailments. Once the lung is affected, cardiac and COPD patients will find it difficult to breathe. Patients have already started trickling in and more could be affected,” he said.

While some like Das felt the unseasonal rain will help dissolve the smog, others pointed out that showers haven’t been strong enough to blow it away. “It’s good that it rained. Some of the pollutants will be washed away and the smog will move,” said Das.

You need wind to move the smog but it hasn’t been strong enough, said AMRI Hospital consultant Debashish Saha. “The temperature fluctuation has activated lung viruses, which is affecting COPD and asthma patients. The emission from crackers contain carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and carcinogens that linger in the atmosphere for several days,” said Saha. He added that the best preventive would be to take steam inhalations even if one has not contracted respiratory illness. 
“Also, take deep breaths and exhale regularly in case the air around your home is polluted,” he added.