Delhi Pollution: Delhi’s air is now not only dirty but also deadly. The air of the capital becomes poisonous every winter season, but now it is no longer a seasonal problem, it has become a year-round silent killer. New reports have revealed that breathing in Delhi is now as dangerous for health as battling a serious disease.

The latest report of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has further increased the concern of the capital. According to this report, in the year 2023, 17,188 people died due to air pollution in Delhi alone, which means that one out of every seven deaths is now due to polluted air. In such a situation, let us know what the report says about pollution becoming a silent killer in Delhi.

what does the report say

The report shows that very fine particles present in the air are called PM2.5. These have become the biggest cause of deaths in Delhi. These are so small that they enter the lungs and blood directly, due to which heart and lung diseases increase rapidly. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), about 15 percent of the total deaths in Delhi in 2023 were due to pollution alone. This figure is extremely scary for any modern city, because it means that pollution has now become more deadly than risks like high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.

Major causes of deaths in Delhi in 2023

In 2023, there were 17,188 deaths due to air pollution in Delhi, 14,874 deaths due to high blood pressure, 10,653 deaths due to diabetes, 7,267 deaths due to high cholesterol and 6,698 deaths due to obesity. These figures show that smog in Delhi has now become a bigger killer than blood pressure and sugar. The air we inhale every moment is gradually becoming the cause of death. According to WHO, the level of PM2.5 has been found several times higher in Delhi. Its effect is greatest especially on children, elderly people and heart or lung patients. Asthma, lung infection and respiratory problems have become common in children, while serious diseases like heart attack, stroke and cancer are increasing in adults.

Experts warn

CREA and other experts say that Delhi’s bad air is no longer just an environmental issue, it has become a public health crisis. Due to pollution, the number of patients in hospitals is increasing, the number of working people is decreasing and the average age of people is decreasing. Scientists say that if the government does not take immediate and strict action, this figure may worsen in the coming years.
What can be the protection?

According to experts, to deal with this crisis, Delhi needs science-based policies and not just an emergency action plan. As –

1. Strict control on industrial emissions, so that the smoke coming out of factories is reduced.

2. Stopping pollution caused by vehicles, such as removing old vehicles and promoting electric vehicles.

3. Increasing the number of green zones and trees and plants, so that the oxygen level in the air improves.

4. Strictness on dust and waste management, so that the problem of dust flying on the roads is reduced.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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These days the air in Delhi-NCR has become so poisonous that even breathing is becoming difficult. Since Diwali, the pollution level has remained around 300 per day, which is considered very bad for health. This poisonous air has caused many diseases to people, which include shortness of breath, sore throat, chest pain etc. However, the eyes are facing the most problems. The number of eye patients in hospitals has increased so much that there are long queues. Hundreds of people are reaching big hospitals in Noida, Ghaziabad, Delhi and Gurugram every day with complaints of burning sensation, itching, redness and watering of eyes.

Doctors said this

Doctors say that dust, smoke, chemical particles and poisonous gases present in the air are very harmful for the eyes. These can damage the upper layer of the eyes i.e. the cornea and with prolonged exposure can also damage the retina. Earlier, eye patients used to come less. However, now the situation is such that more than half of the patients are coming to OPD due to pollution. Dr. Anand Verma, head of the eye department of a big hospital, said that earlier there used to be complaints of burning sensation for a few days after Diwali, but this time the pollution is so much that 300-400 patients are coming every day with only eye problems. These include children, old people and young people.

Why is there a problem due to pollution?

Dr. Verma said that pollution contains many types of gases like nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter (PM2.5). All these enter the eyes and cause irritation. Many people’s eyes become so red that it becomes difficult to see. Some people experience so much itching that repeated rubbing leads to infection. As soon as children return from school, they start crying that their eyes are hurting. The elderly already have weak eyesight. Now pollution has made their condition worse.

How are eyes affected by pollution?

Doctors say that small particles present in the air absorb moisture from the eyes, due to which the eyes remain dry. This causes burning, itching and redness. If the eyes are rubbed repeatedly, bacteria can enter and infection can occur. Some people are also suffering from allergies, due to which water keeps flowing from the eyes. Staying in such an environment for a long time can also cause serious diseases like cataract or glaucoma.

protect your eyes like this

• Leave the house less: Try not to go out in the morning and evening, because pollution is highest at that time.
• Wash eyes frequently: Wash eyes with clean cold water 2-3 times a day. This removes dust and particles.
• Drink plenty of water: Keep drinking water throughout the day, so that the body and eyes remain hydrated.
• Wear sunglasses: While going out, wear good quality sunglasses or protective glasses, which protect from UV and dust.
• Keep hands clean: Wash hands thoroughly before rubbing eyes, otherwise infection may occur.
• Eat vegetables and fruits: Eat green vegetables, fruits like carrots, spinach, orange, which contain vitamin A and C. These make the eyes stronger.
• Put eye drops: Use lubricating eye drops as per doctor’s advice, which provide moisture to the eyes.
• Must wear a mask: Wear an N95 mask, which blocks dust and particles.

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Effects of Air Pollution: Air pollution is the biggest problem in the world at present. If we look at it in terms of India, most of the cities of India are in its grip. The situation of air pollution in the country’s capital Delhi becomes serious every year during the winter season. There are many problems regarding this, but now a big revelation has been made by the doctors of Delhi AIIMS and many big hospitals. According to them, if there is a problem of pain in your joints, then the reason for this is air pollution. Dr. Pramod Kumar, expert of Fortis, New Delhi, said that many researches are indicating that due to air pollution, 12 to 18 percent of people may complain of joint pain. Let us tell you what other diseases apart from arthritis are being caused by air pollution.

Which organs do air pollution affect?

According to WHO, almost every part of the body can be affected by air pollution. Very small contaminated particles enter the blood through the lungs and spread throughout the body causing diseases like inflammation and cancer.

What are the diseases related to air pollution?

Air pollution is a major risk factor for all-cause mortality as well as many specific diseases. The most commonly associated diseases are stroke, ischemic heart disease, COPD such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia and cataract. Some research also shows that air pollution can affect pregnancy such as low birth weight, small child size, cancer, diabetes, memory loss and neurological diseases.

Which pollutants are most dangerous?

Although many types of toxins cause harm, the ones considered to have the greatest impact on health include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Especially PM is very dangerous because they are so small that they go deep into the lungs and mix with the blood and then reach many parts of the body and damage cells and tissues.

Know about diseases in detail

cancer

Cancer comes first and is one of the most common diseases related to air pollution. This happens due to carcinogenic particles, which are released when fossil fuels are burnt. Cancer can occur in any part of the body, but it is most commonly found in the lungs. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common lung cancer and is seen in about 80 percent of cases. It is less aggressive than small cell lung cancer and its prognosis is better.

neurological disorders

Air pollution is also linked to many neurological diseases. These include diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder in which memory weakens and the ability to think and understand decreases. Research has shown that air pollution accelerates its progression.

gastrointestinal diseases

Many digestive diseases are also linked to air pollution, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Studies have shown that in areas where there is more pollution, people suffer more from these diseases.

kidney disease

Air pollution also affects the kidneys. Some of the major types are chronic kidney disease, which is a long-term disease that can lead to kidney failure. This is caused by the toxins accumulated in the body, which also include elements of pollution. Acute kidney injury is a sudden and sometimes reversible kidney problem. This occurs when high levels of pollution, especially particulate matter, enter the body.

liver disease

Air pollution also affects the liver. This increases the risk of fatty liver disease, in which fat accumulates in the liver and can lead to swelling and scarring.

skin disease

Various skin problems are also linked to air pollution, such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. In eczema, the skin becomes dry, itchy and swollen. Pollution is believed to trigger its onset or flare-up.

Asthma

Asthma is a disease in which the respiratory tubes shrink and swelling and mucus starts forming in them. Due to this, symptoms like difficulty in breathing, cough, wheezing and chest tightness are seen. Major triggers of asthma include air pollution, cold weather and pollen.

bronchitis

Bronchitis is also a common disease related to air pollution. In this, the bronchus of the lungs become swollen and there is a burning sensation. The reason for this could be smoke, dust or chemical fumes. Its symptoms include cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain.

Arthritis

Now a new name arthritis has been added to it. Experts say that Delhi’s poisonous air and arthritis are increasing the problems of rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, many studies have revealed that pollution is increasing its problems rapidly. The most solid evidence of this is found in the research on pollution published in the European Medical Journal (2025). In which many problems arising from this have been mentioned.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

Check out below Health Tools-
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

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Air pollution: Every year during the winter season, there are haze and smog in the sky in Delhi and some states of North India. Many people believe that it damages the lungs, but do you know that really pollution causes any problem to your heart, does it cause any heart disease. If you do not know, then let us tell you today what is the connection of pollution and heart disease according to research and experts.

How can the heart harm?

According to New England Journal of Medicine (Nejm), small particles in air pollution (eg PM₂.₅, PM₁₀), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and ozone reaches the blood flow by entering our body and causes many types of damage to the body. These particles work to create imbalance in our cells. This increases the risk of inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, pollution weakens the inner layer of our arteries, which increases the risk of blockage. This also increases the risk of blood pressure, as well as it increases the risk of our blood clots. Many times its level increases so much that it can trigger cases like heart attack or stroke.

Which diseases are in danger?

New England Journal of Medicine (Nejm) and Air Pollution and Heart Disease & Stroke – AHA Research mentions the diseases caused by it. According to these research, this may cause the heart to face all kinds of problems, such as the problem of heart attack, the risk of stroke, the problem of heart failure, the victim of the heart failure and the problem of high BP. With all these problems, you can struggle during pollution. The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health (2022) report said that due to pollution, a total of 9 million people lost their lives in the year 2019. Out of this, about 62 percent of death occurred due to heart attack and stroke.

What is the situation in India?

If we talk about India, then we are included in the list of countries where the risk of air pollution is the highest. According to the WHO report, air quality (AQI) is constantly in poor category in many big cities of the country. This is the reason that the risk of heart disease is increasing very rapidly among the people living in most metros of the country, in which according to the expert, there is a big contribution of pollution in it.

Also read: High Blood Pressure: 99% of people have to have heart attack and stroke, do you not make this mistake?

Disclaimer: This information is based on the opinion of research studies and experts. Do not consider it an alternative to medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, consult your doctor or concerned specialist.

Check out Below Health Tools-
Calculate your body mass index (BMI)

Calculate the age through age calculator