Visakhapatnam: Respiratory diseases are on the rise in Vizag city due to increasing pollution levels and due to the abnormal changes in the lifestyle of youth.
Respiratory related ailments like allergy, asthma, lung cancer, tuberculosis are increasing in the city. For the past few years around 100 patients were registered in TB hospital daily. But now the number is around 200. Around 50 per cent of them are between the age group of 18 and 40. Most of the cases are coming from industrial areas like Gajuwaka and Paravada as they are more polluted localities.
Increase in motor vehicles is also one of the main reason for these diseases. As the number of vehicles increased, the elements of health hazardous also increased.
In 1995 the number of motor vehicles was 1.75 lakh in Vizag and now the number has grown up to around 5 lakh.
Children between the age group of 5 and 16 are being affected with respiratory diseases more than the adults. Pollution Control Board of India has included Vizag city in the list of most polluted towns in the country. Paravada, where the NTPC is established, is the one of the most health hazardous area in Vizag. The dust particles in the air are causing the diseases.
Apart from pollution, bad habits in youth are also one of the main reasons for growth in such diseases. Consuming of alcohol and smoking is increasing among youth, and these habits push the people towards such diseases.
The overall air quality index is an important aspect and the suspended particulate matter, PM.2.5 and PM10 are rampant in city environment. They are mainly responsible for pollution leading to respiratory problems.
Dr P. Sambasiva Rao, superintendent of TB hospital said, “The number of respiratory cases is increasing in these days as the environment is polluted. Most of the cases are that of bronchitis due to dust allergy.”
