Deepak Jha

#WATCH | Delhi: On air pollution, Dr Vijay Hadda, Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine & Sleep Disorders, AIIMS, says, "These green crackers reduce emissions by only 30%. As far as the gases and particulate matter are concerned, 70% of the emissions remain the same as those from conventional firecrackers. The AQI, which used to be in three digits, has now reached four digits. If you compare Delhi's air quality with that of other cities, you will find that there is almost a 50% difference. Obviously, life is not going to be easy for the people living here. You keep inhaling this poisonous smoke, breathing it in continuously. Every minute, you breathe at least 20 times, taking in at least half a litre of air with each breath. I am honestly surprised that we are still alive. I do not think this kind of air is suitable for human survival. I am absolutely certain that as time passes, we will begin to see its effects. Many of my colleagues who are otherwise completely healthy have been calling me and saying, "I am unable to get rid of this irritation. It feels as though something is stuck in my throat." We saw patients during our last OPD session, and they have returned again today. This happens every year, but somehow, we all forget. The general public forgets, and even policies remain somewhat in a grey area, making it difficult to understand how they should be interpreted. Overall, the situation is not good at all. You should understand that you are simply inhaling poison and exhaling it..."