Higher particulate matter-levels affect kids, elderly

Hyderabad: Air pollutants like particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds are found to increase the episodes of acute respiratory distress like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory allergies. Long-term exposure can also lead to lung cancer.

There is now increasing evidence of outdoor air pollutants playing a major role in respiratory diseases.

Small time-bound studies conducted during Diwali in the pre- and post-festive period have also shown that the air quality does get affected due to fireworks. 

For this reason, those suffering from respiratory diseases and vulnerable groups like children, senior citizens and pregnant women must not spend too much of time outdoors during the festive season.

Dr Vijay Kumar Chenn-amchetty, senior consultant, interventional pulmonologist at Apollo Hospitals, explained: “During the day, it has been found that particulate matter and gaseous pollutants like ground ozone, nitrogen, oxide and other volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight and it is found to affect people.”

“The times of poorest air quality are typically in the afternoon and early evenings in areas where there are industries and heavy vehicular pollution,” he said.

Due to firecrackers, it has been found that the concentration of various pollutants increases in the air and it takes a longer time for them to disperse due to the low temperatures, less wind speed and also humidity in the air.