The national capital recorded one of its most polluted days of the year on Thursday (October 30), with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering in the Very Poor category (301–400). As smog thickened across Delhi-NCR, doctors reported a surge in patients complaining of respiratory discomfort, coughing, breathlessness, and eye irritation.

Senior pulmonologist Dr Gopi Chand Khilnani, chairman of PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, told The Indian Express that the number of people seeking medical help for breathing difficulties has risen sharply over the past 10 days. He cautioned that air pollution can trigger severe forms of viral or bacterial pneumonia, which carry high mortality risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Dr Khilnani advised people with chronic respiratory diseases, heart problems, or weakened immunity to temporarily move away from Delhi until mid or late December if possible, when pollution levels typically begin to drop.

What years of air pollution do to the lungs

According to Dr Khilnani, long-term exposure to high pollution levels, such as those faced by residents of Delhi-NCR, can cause:

  • Chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
  • Premature ageing of the lungs, reducing their capacity to exchange oxygen effectively.
  • Increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and allergies due to damaged airway lining.
  • Greater risk of lung cancer, even among non-smokers, as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) penetrates deep into the lungs.
  • Cardiovascular complications, since pollutants also affect blood vessels and heart function.

“Years of breathing this toxic air is like smoking a pack of cigarettes every day,” said Dr Khilnani. “Even young, healthy individuals are showing early signs of lung impairment.”

Delhi’s worsening pollution trend

With stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and stagnant weather patterns adding to the crisis, Delhi’s AQI has been steadily worsening through October. Authorities have already begun rolling out emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including bans on construction and restrictions on diesel vehicles in parts of the city.