Ranchi, 2nd Dec, 2023: On the eve of National Pollution Prevention Day, a critical health advisory has been released by leading medical professionals, at a press conference organized by the SwitchON Foundation addressing the escalating concerns surrounding air pollution and its detrimental effects on public health. The health advisory provides numerous ways in which citizens, Schools, Colleges, and Govt can prevent impact of air pollution, besides preventive measures and practices that should be adopted in everyday life to better prepare from the onslaught of polluted winter days.
In light of the worsening air quality levels observed, the medical community emphasized the urgent need for heightened awareness and precautionary measures to safeguard the well-being of individuals. Several leading doctors of Ranchi like Dr. Suprova Chakraborty from Raj Hospital, Dr. Rashmi Kongari from ESI Hospital, Dr. Manmohan from Jharkhand Cancer Hospital and Dr. Sanoj Kumar from RIMS attended the press conference.
Vinay Jaju, Managing Director, SwitchON Foundation said, “Health professionals are calling the air pollution a health emergency. This health advisory serves as a collective call to action, emphasizing the shared responsibility of individuals, communities, and policymakers in addressing the escalating challenges posed by air pollution.” He further added stating – “In our comparative analysis of air quality for Ranchi and Dhanbad for November 2023, it was found that Ranchi and Dhanbad’s PM2.5 surge breached CPCB limit spiking the Air Quality Index which is a matter of grave concern.”
Addressing the Press Conference Dr. Suprova Chakraborty, Consultant Pulmonologist, Raj Hospital, stated: “According to the global burden of diseases air pollution is the 4th leading cause of mortality in the world and we lose 90 lakhs people every year due to air pollution in the world. This war against air pollution can only be fought with awareness. On this National Air Pollution Day, we urge everyone to be mindful of their environment and take measures to protect their respiratory health”
The health consequences of air pollution vary depending on pollution levels and exposure duration. Vulnerability to these impacts differs among individuals due to demographic factors and existing health conditions.The Health Advisory released by the eminent doctors enumerated the role of citizens, Schools, Colleges and the Government for protection and prevention of air pollution.
Citizen’s role in Air Pollution
Prevention:
- Refrain from burning wood or trash
- Opt for telecommuting, public transport, carpooling, bicycling, or walking
- Waste Management and segregation
- Implement energy-saving practices at home and work
Protection:
- Utilize N95 masks during smoggy days
- Choose a predominantly plant-based diet
- Use high-efficiency home air purifiers or indoor air-purifying plants
- Avoid outdoor activities during high pollution levels
Institution’s / Office role in Air Pollution
Prevention:
- Promote waste reduction and energy efficiency
- Adopt green infrastructure and technologies
Protection:
- Make workplace cycle friendly
- Limiting outdoor activities
Government’s role in Air Pollution Mitigation strategies:
- Public information on air pollution levels and awareness
- Establish effective emergency response plans to deal with sudden spikes
- Manage C&D Waste Properly
At the press conference the grave air quality problem of Jharkhand was shared. It was found that the commencement of winter in 2023 proved notably severe for both cities, Ranchi and Dhanbad with Dhanbad exhibiting a more critical situation in terms of AQI this November. Dhanbad registered a higher AQI at 231, while the capital city Ranchi reported a slightly lower value at 187. The analysis showed that Ranchi had 19 days with AQI ranging from good to satisfactory, in contrast to Dhanbad’s 21 days ranging from poor to severe air quality.
Dr. Manmohan, Consultant Oncologist, Jharkhand Cancer Hospital said, “I have witnessed a concerning correlation between prolonged exposure to air pollution and an increased risk of certain cancers. The toxic elements in polluted air can trigger cellular changes, emphasizing the imperative for public health measures to mitigate this environmental risk.”
Dr. Rashmi Kongari, Consultant Pulmonologist, ESI Hospital said, “Air Pollution is a threat to human health and we need to take urgent action for it.”
Dr. Sanoj Kumar, Consultant Pediatrician from RIMS stated, “Air pollution is a major environmental health threat. Recent data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) show that air pollution has a vast and terrible impact on child health and survival.”
Health Advisory and PPT on Alarming Air Quality Trends in Mean AQI
Media Dossier
Online Articles: Lense Eye News | Lense Eye News [YouTube] | On The Spot | On The Spot 24 [Facebook Post] | Koylanchal Samvad [YouTube] | News 365 Daily [YouTube] | Jharkhand Swatantra Khabar [YouTube] | Jharkhand Swatantra Khabar [Facebook Post] | News Haat [Facebook Post] | Khabar Cell | Jagat Prahari | The Mukhar Samvad | THNDR News [YouTube] | News Ranchi Mail | Adivasi Duniya
For more information please contact Vivek Chandra Gupta (8100857343)
0 
0 
