Deadly diseases like cancer and genetic disorders would be the outcome of the current pollution levels in the next ten years, doctors in the national Capital suggested on Monday.
As Delhi battles the high-level of pollutants in its air, doctors underline that besides the immediate lung and chest diseases, the people who inhale the toxic air with an exposure of two to three hours are likely to suffer from cancer while a hampered growth of lungs in new born babies would become common.
"The effect of this kind of air pollution is going to have long term repercussions...something that we cannot see now. People like policemen, cab drivers, commuters who walk and any person who stays outdoors for more than two hours is most likely to have cancer in the next ten years. It can cause permanent lung damage and hamper the growth of lungs among the new borns," Dr. Bobby Bhalotra, pulmonologist at Sri Ganga Ram Hospital told The Pioneer.
He said there are high chances of abortions in pregnant women. Also, he said diseases like COPD, asthma, reparatory bronchitis, breathing problems and cardiac diseases would be a common threat and outcome of the air pollution in humans.
While he suggested that people should stay indoors as much as possible, Dr Mukesh Mehra, senior consultant, Internal Medicine from Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj warned that "one cannot avoid inhaling air but one may limit it."
"You cannot avoid inhaling the air. You can only limit inhaling the toxic air by having less outdoor exposure. It is mandatory that people should avoid morning walks as well as any other walks on the road," said the doctor, adding that the Delhi Government's order of shutting schools for three days can be "preventive and helpful" for children.
"By keeping students indoors, nothing much would be attained. However, the schools must take preventive measures by curbing any outdoor exposure of students."
While the doctors pointed out that the chemicals and metals in the air make it more toxic, they said immense dust and undergoing constructions are making the situation worse.
Mehra said the smoke can affect the genes completely. "The smoke directly affects the genes and does an irreversible damage to respiratory and reproductive system. In the long term, the increase in genetics disorders would become common because it is not just smoke but heavy presence of metals and carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is highly damaging," he stressed.
For the precautionary measures, the doctors have asked people to avoid fast food and fried food. "People must have a high intake of juices and natural foods to make their immunity stronger. There is no mention of jaggery as an eatery to help in fighting infections caused by dust but it is an age old food eaten to avoid such health issues," Mehra said.
Meanwhile, Radio Jockey, Rounac of FM 98.3 FM was hospitalised after he choked out of breath while recording a show on air.