Ranchi :- A comprehensive health advisory ratified by leading Doctors and Health Practitioners from Ranchi was issued at a press conference organised by the SwitchON Foundation in association with the ‘Doctors for Clean Air’ (DFCA) forum at the Ranchi Press Club.
The health advisory provides numerous ways in which citizens can prevent impact from air pollution. It laid out various preventive measures and practices that should be adopted in everyday life by citizens to better prepare from the onslaught of polluted winter days. The advisory comes at a time when citizens are already stressed with probable risk of another COVID-19 wave across the country. With earlier findings suggesting a significant correlation between district level air pollution data and COVID-19 cases.
“The health impacts of Air Pollution need to be highlighted to protect the health of children and adults. It is a major health issue and not merely a chemical or environmental issue. Air pollution affects each and every part of the body besides lungs which are the first to get affected- Dr. Atri Gangopadhyay” – Dr. Atri Gangopadhyay, East Zone Governor and National Spokesperson, Chest Council of India , Consultant pulmonologist, Pulse hospital, Ranchi
The event held coincides with the National Pollution Control Day, which is observed on December 2 every year in memory of those who suffered and lost their lives in the horrific 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. This year marks the 37th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. It is observed as a reminder to all of the extent of damage environmental degradation like air pollution can have on human life. The chronic exposure to air pollution has large similarity with the fateful incident occurred due to the accidental discharge of the toxic chemical gas methyl isocyanate and other toxic gases from the Union Carbide chemical plant in Bhopal on the night of December 2, 1984.
Dr Nirupam Saran Consultant Respiratory Medicine and Interventional Pulmonology, Happy Lungs Foundation and Dr. Swati Behera Saran, Member of World Allergy Organisation, Founder-The Happy Lungs and State Convener CCI Jharkhand Ranchi attending the event stated: “There is correlation between level of ambient air pollutants and Lung Diseases among children. Evidence suggests that early-life exposure to air pollution increases the risk of childhood asthma. No level of particulate matter is permissible, hence we must work to bring them to negligible levels.”
Attending the event, Dr S Kumar, Pediatrician, Rainbow Clinic Ranchi stated – “To prevent the effects of air pollution, we must use air purifiers, LPG, Bio gas or solar stores or ovens for cooking and should try to avoid air fresheners at home”.
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