Large-scale burning of crop stubble in neighbouring areas has resulted in worsening of air quality in Gurugram.

High levels of air pollution in Delhi-NCR have long been a matter of concern, especially as particulate matter (PM) 2.5 was found to be much above the prescribed limit  of 24 µg/m³.

According to information provided to the Enviornment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) by Punjab and Haryana, farmers in the two states produce 32 million tonnes of paddy straw every year and 90-95 per cent of that is burnt in open fields. That adds to the pollution woes of neighbouring regions. Of the total paddy straw that is burnt, Punjab and Haryana contribute 48 per cent while UP accounts for 14 per cent. It is estimated that 13.92 teragram (1Tg= 109kg) paddy straw is burnt in open fields.

Experts fear that increased stubble burning coupled with lower temperatures and wind speeds will trigger heavy pollution in the National Capital Region in the coming days.

“Rising pollution levels are impacting us in more ways than we understand. There is evidence to link air pollution to many diseases and even malignancies. As compared to last year this year the number of patients visiting the respiratory OPD has gone up by about 10 per cent,” said Manoj K Goel, head of the department of pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram.

Experts believe that people should find ways to safeguard themselves from polluted air as much as possible and try to improve air quality at least in their homes by adopting air friendly measures like keeping indoor plants and ensuring the area remains dust-free besides installing air purifiers. Small changes in lifestyle can help improve air quality and reduce health risks, especially for sensitive children and those with respiratory problems.

The spurt in pollution level in the city has reportedly been marked with increase in demand for air purifiers, an indicator that more people are realising the health hazards pollution causes.

On high demand for air purifiers, Arvind Chabra, Blueair India head said: “Air pollution is prevalent throughout the year but the situation gets worse during winter. The paddy burning practice in neighbouring states adds to misery. There is a spike in demand of air purifiers especially from consumers suffering from respiratory conditions. Like past year, a huge demand is coming from Gurugram. An efficient air purifier can help in removing the minutest of air pollutants, virus and bacteria which causes respiratory illnesses,” he claimed.