Mumbai air pollution: Masks should be made mandatory, say doctors

Grey smog blanketed the skies of Mumbai past week, turning the sun faint and the lungs noxious. The city noted for its coastal weather and clean breeze is now beating Delhi's infamous air pollution. According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the primary pollutant PM2.5 was recorded at 308 in the city as compared to Delhi's reading of 259, last Friday morning. "PM2.5 concentration in Mumbai is currently 11.5 times the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual air quality guideline value", informed SAFAR's website.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the state government received strong backlash from citizens over their failure to provide health advisories against the poor air quality. Critics alleged that the civic body didn't alert the citizens in time and, have been delaying the installation of air monitoring systems and dust mitigation units, a contract they received 18 months ago.

"It's getting harder to breathe", said Abhas Maheshwari, a consultant at Big 4. City doctors are of the opinion that people with no lung disorders are also at risk of developing illnesses due to poor AQI. Mid-day Online spoke to health experts to gain insights on the safeguards against the lethal air.

Precautions while commuting to work

The harmful air engulfs the daily commuters in an inescapable canopy. For them, safety against the foul air is of primary concern. "If you happen to commute via public transport, ensure the use of well-fitting masks at all times while outside. This is applicable while venturing out of the house at any point in the day." emphasised Dr Sanggita Checker, consultant chest physician, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai.

Keeping a tab of the air quality in the concerned areas will be effective in harm reduction. If the air quality reflects ‘poor' on the index, it is advised to avoid outings or go with mouths covered appropriately. While some have the liberty to modify their outings, the rest may not enjoy the same privilege. In this case, health experts suggest walking on quieter streets rather than the clogged ones. Avoiding travel during peak hours will also reduce exposure to air pollutants (nitrates, methane, and black carbon) and make the commute safer.

Safeguards for vulnerable groups:

- School-going children
"It will be imperative for schools to invest in a robust air purification system to prevent children from acute respiratory infections,'' stressed Dr Checker. Other advisories from her include shutting classroom windows and switching to homeschooling during the peak days of pollution. She stressed that mouth masks should be made mandatory around this time of the month.

"Educating children about the ill effects of smog will help in developing their foresight towards harm reduction", she told Mid-day.

Pulmonologist, Dr Chetan Jain from Zyanova Shalby Hospital, shares strategic measures to ensure safety of children. "Schools need to be built in greener spaces, away from traffic prone zones. Along with that, school buses need to be eco-friendly and air conditioned to combat pollution from vehicular exhaust especially at traffic signals. Regular viral vaccines should be administered to prevent any recurring lung infections."

Pregnant women
Intensive cautions need to be practised by expecting mothers. Doctors are of the opinion that pregnant women must avoid venturing out of the house as doing so can impact the baby's health. If at all there is an emergency, they should use a mask to combat the toxic particulate matter present in the air.

Dr Chetan stresses that it is essential for pregnant women to be aware of the air quality in their area. "Mothers with respiratory problems like asthma and allergies need to avoid exercising outdoors as it exposes them to carbon monoxide, aldehydes and sulphur oxide, etc. These particles are the very cause behind respiratory symptoms like breathlessness and throat pain." "It is better to work out at home", he added.

Elderly population with comorbid conditions
Air pollution poses a greater pitfall to elders as it can exacerbate their comorbid health conditions. They may have existing cardiac or lung disorders which can get intensified if exposed to harmful air. Health experts suggest making use of indoor plants to fight the hazardous particulate matter looming in the air. Another addition that can help cleanse the air is the installation of air purifiers. These purifiers not only help to eliminate hazardous particles but also relieve symptoms of respiratory problems.

"Early morning walks pose a serious health hazard to elders as the exposure to lethal toxins is higher. As an alternative, exercising at home can prove to be beneficial for health", emphasised Dr Chetan.

Cases of respiratory and cardiac ailments
Dr Checker informs us that air pollution can be a menace for people with heart or lung ailments. The fine particles in the air can irritate airways causing them to tighten up and swell. Mercury, lead, dioxins, and benzene are some of the worst air pollutants that are responsible for a host of health issues. Hence, for cases of respiratory ailments, it becomes essential to stay indoors as the air outside is pure poison.

"If you are one of those with any lung ailments such as asthma, bronchitis; then you need to avoid pollution hotspots such as main roads, junctions, bus stations, and car parks. In addition, regular steaming and use of inhalers will relieve the existing irritation. At any given point, avoid self-medication and seek expert help if there's an exacerbation", cautioned Dr Chetan.

Steps to ensure clean air indoors
While the air outside is heavy on lethal particles, we can do our bit to cleanse the air indoors. Health experts highlight the importance of indoor plants that can help to purify the air. Plants absorb the air pollutants thereby leaving the indoor air fresh to breathe in. Some of the air-purifying plants that are easily available are Areca Palm, Snake Plant and Aloe Vera, etc.

A few practical steps by Dr Chetan include vacuum cleaning the furniture and carpets on a regular basis to avoid dust accumulation. "Invest in a good humidifier to make sure you breathe freely. Along with that, clean the filter of the air conditioner (AC) at home regularly. Use an exhaust fan to decongest the air which collects fumes that rise from cooking."

"It is better to keep the windows closed when the pollution spikes. On the contrary, make use of cross ventilation to cleanse the polluted air that piled up indoors", added Dr Chetan.

Also Read: Mumbai: Brace for more bad air days