5% Delhi-NCR families report at least 1 member with pollution-related ailment, finds survey

NEW DELHI, Nov 20: A recent survey has revealed that a staggering 75 per cent of families in the Delhi NCR region, which is grappling with deteriorating air quality, have at least one member suffering from sore throat or cough.
The survey, conducted by LocalCircles, an online community platform, found that 58 per cent of the surveyed families reported experiencing headaches due to rising pollution levels, while 50 per cent had a family member dealing with breathing difficulties or asthma.
The survey gathered responses from over 21,000 residents of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad of which 63 per cent of respondents were men and 37 per cent were women.
“Given that the AQI reached new peaks earlier this week in Delhi NCR and PM2.5 of up to 1500 was reported in parts of Delhi, LocalCircles has conducted a new survey to find out how those residing in Delhi NCR are coping with elevated levels of air pollution, which is being compared to living in a gas chamber,” the survey stated.
Asked what actions they were taking as the AQI hit 400 in the region, 27 per cent of the families reported using air purifiers to reduce the effects of pollution, while 23 per cent said they were not doing anything to protect themselves. The rest indicated they were simply coping by increasing their intake of immunity-boosting foods and drinks.
The survey also showed that the percentage of families with at least one ill member increased from 69 per cent on November 1 to 75 per cent by November 19.
Meanwhile, the use of air purifiers has grown substantially, from 18 per cent of the families using them on October 19 to 27 per cent a month later, the survey added.
Delhi govt implements 50% work-from-home policy
Half of the staff in Delhi government offices will work from home while private organisations have been urged to follow suit amid alarmingly high air pollution in the national capital.
However, essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, public transport, fire services, law enforcement, power supply, water treatment, and emergency response operations will continue to work in full capacity to ensure public services remain unaffected.
Nearly 80 departments and different agencies in the Delhi government, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, employ approximately 1.4 lakh people.
On Wednesday, Delhi witnessed yet another dawn with a blanket of toxic air as it recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 426 in the “severe” category, which followed the coldest night of the season in the city so far.
Residents have reported eye irritation, respiratory discomfort, and other health issues.
Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai, in a post on X, said 50 per cent of the staff in government offices will work from home.
He also urged private offices, industries and businesses to implement similar measures to help mitigate the city’s air pollution crisis. (PTI)