Air Pollution Linked to Second-Highest Deaths in India, Doctors Warn at Jaipur Conference

Air quality is continuously deteriorating in Rajasthan. The pollution measured through the Air Quality Index touched a critical level in several cities of the state on Saturday as well. The highest levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were recorded in Tonk. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, Tonk had the worst air quality index of Rajasthan on Monday, having 496 as PM 2.5 and 500 as PM 10. Bhiwadi recorded an AQI above 400, while cities like Jaipur, Sriganganagar, and Tonk also fell into "poor" and "very poor" categories. Pollution is increasing day by day and making it difficult to breathe outdoors. 

According to the Meteorological Department, the weather will remain dry and the winds will continue to blow at the same rate for the next few days, with no hope of relief at the moment. Experts say that if the situation does not improve, the risk of respiratory and lung-related diseases, like those in Delhi-NCR, could increase rapidly in Rajasthan as well.

The air quality in these cities was the worst: Tonk - 500, Kota - 302, Bhiwadi - 431, Bikaner - 328, Dungarpur - 300, Jaipur - 372, Hanumangarh - 277, Jhalawar - 308, Bharatpur - 327, Sikar - 321, Sriganganagar - 416, and Tonk also recorded air quality in the 'very poor' category.

Air pollution and dust are affecting human lungs, increasing breathing difficulties, and respiratory diseases are steadily increasing. Recently, a respiratory disease conference was held in Jaipur under the auspices of the Indian Chest Society (ICS), where it was revealed that air pollution causes the second-highest number of deaths in the country. Dr. Nitin Jain explained that pollution impacts children and the elderly the most because they have weaker immunity. Lung development in children is stunted, and the elderly are more vulnerable to premature illness. Pollution increases the risk of diseases like heart disease, stroke, asthma, and bronchitis, reducing a person's health and life expectancy.

Respiratory diseases like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and tuberculosis are common in Rajasthan and India. According to the WHO, COPD is the second leading cause of death globally, and tuberculosis is the twelfth leading cause. The death rate from COPD in Rajasthan is higher than the national average. Experts say that vehicles, air pollution, dust, and smoking among young people contribute to the spread of these diseases.