Post-Diwali pollution triggers spike in asthma cases

With the AQI in the city touching a maximum of 500 on two consecutive days of Diwali celebrations - the highest level recorded across mutiple cities in the state - the smoky haze left in the wake of incessant cracker burning is set to leave its impact on those battling with asthma and chronic respiratory disorders.

Doctors said a rise in COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and asthma along with other respiratory disorders is anticipated in the wake of Diwali pollution.

The Civil Hospital has had a daily OPD patients of 80 to 100 in the tuberculosis department with 2,300 to 2,400 patients being reported per month. While many TB patients also report respiratory problems, the number of these cases is expected to rise post-Diwali.

District TB Officer, Dr Ritu Dadra, said, "Every year, the onset of winter, coupled with a rise in air pollution, brings in an estimated increase in patients. The spike in air pollution is likely to cause some rise in patients. Post-Diwali holidays, the OPD will open on Thursday. We received two or three emergency calls from patients experiencing symptoms by a rise in particulate matter in the air. The rise is expected to be on the lines of increase in cases as a matter of routine every Diwali. Along with exacerbation in respiratory episodes, such a pollution spike is also likely to be accompanied by an increase in allergic rhinitis cases. As well as patients who report irritation or itching in eyes, throat, etc. The extent of the increase in such cases can only be confirmed once the OPD opens."

Dr HJ Singh, chest and TB specialist and bronchoscopist, said, "The rise in air pollution levels and the dramatic increase in severity of the problem in the pre-winter months every year is concerning. We have been getting an OPD of 15 to 20 patients pre-Diwali which is expected to rise in the coming days. The severity of pollution in the air has been exceptionally bad, especially on October 21 - the second night that people continued to burst crackers in the city. Such spikes in pollution usually trigger episodes in people with chronic respiratory illnesses and asthma."

Dr Singh added, "The rise in pollution levels constantly is bad, especially for children. There is also a new scenario among patients which is black lungs. Pollution levels are affecting people adversely and during bronchoscopy, lungs are often now observed to be turning black. Children are the worst affected as they are breathing polluted air right from their childhood."

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Box: 2025

On October 20 Diwali Day, Jalandhar recorded an average AQI of 249 and maximum of 500.

On October 21, the city had an average AQI of 260 and maximum of 500

And on October 22, Jalandhar recorded an average AQI of 264 and maximum of 500.

2024

Jalandhar’s maximum AQI on the day of Diwali, (October 31), was 500 while the average AQI was 237

On November 1, Jalandhar’s AQI continued to be severe at a maximum of 482 and at an average of 211. On November 2, Jalandhar recorded the maximum AQI again at 500, denoting severe pollution.