50 cigarettes! That’s what you are inhaling in Delhi today

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FIFTY CIGARETTES.

That’s the comparative amount of harmful pollutants a Delhi resident is inhaling Tuesday, with the national capital recording an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 492 at 7 am.

In fact, the AQI breached the 500 mark at some locations, such as Alipur, Anand Vihar, Bawana, Narela, Pusa and Sonia Vihar, signalling severe health risks for all, not just those with pre-existing conditions.

On paper, this means Delhi’s air is in the “severe-plus category”, with the administration implementing its highest graded response and the Supreme Court saying that it should stay in place until it orders otherwise.

In this situation, here are some questions you need to ask — and some answers you need to know. The Indian Express speaks to Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals to get some answers:

How can you illustrate the impact of living under current AQI levels in real-life terms?

According to Dr Modi, such pollution levels mean that an average individual is exposed to harmful substances that are equivalent to smoking 49-50 cigarettes per day. The particulates and gases penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic health issues beyond just respiratory problems.

He says all of this can cause inflammation and damage lung tissue over time, leading to chronic diseases typically associated with smoking, such as respiratory and cardiovascular ailments. In such conditions, lungs can suffer significant harm – even for healthy non-smokers.

So what are you inhaling in Delhi, how does this impact your body?

Long-term exposure to such air pollution leaves residents vulnerable to a toxic cocktail of gases and particulate matter, including PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃). These pollutants originate from sources such as vehicular emissions, industrial discharges and biomass burning.

The health impact is significant — and varied. The immediate effects include respiratory issues, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Chronic exposure can lead to severe conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and even lung cancer.

Vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly, face heightened risk of long-term health problems due to their developing or weakened immune systems. The situation is exacerbated during winter months when weather conditions trap pollutants closer to the ground, leading to hazardous air that can affect even healthy individuals.

Does the amount of pollution outdoors also affect life indoors?

Indoor pollution is often influenced by outdoor air quality. Common indoor pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from household products, smoke from cooking or heating and particulate matter that infiltrates from outside.

In many cases, indoor pollution can be equally or more harmful than outdoor pollution due to the accumulation of toxins in enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. Furthermore, during periods of high outdoor pollution, people tend to keep windows closed, which can trap pollutants indoors. Effective measures, such as air purifiers and proper ventilation, are crucial measures to tackle deteriorating indoor air quality caused by outdoor pollution.