Rising levels hit children's health

Maneesh Pandey / TNN / Jan 13, 2006, 01:29 IST

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Both paediatricians and environmentalists are worried about this increasing content of NO2 in the air.

NEW DELHI: The next time your child complains of a burning sensation in his eyes and teachers point to a dip in his performance, don't take it lightly. Chances are he has fallen victim to the thickening layer of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air.
Both paediatricians and environmentalists are worried about this increasing content of NO2 in the air over the past eight years, even though air pollution levels have dropped after the introduction of CNG as a fuel.
Said Anumati Roy Chowdhury, associate director, Centre for Science and Environment: "While recent efforts have helped to stabilise and reduce air pollution in Delhi, NO2 levels have recorded a steady rise since 1997."
This has a direct bearing on your health. Said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, director and head (paediatrics) of Rockland Hospital: "Particularly in winter, the high levels of NO2 in the atmosphere causes allergies in eyes, skin and respiratory problems.

Children are the worst-hit as when it comes to their growth, it can cause neurological damage, irritability, dip in school performance and mental alertness. It is harmful for pregnant women too."
According to figures available with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), nitrogen oxide is the only parameter that shows an upward trend.
Compared to 2003, NO2 level shot up to 5% in residential areas and 17% in industrial zones the next year. The figures were obtained after monitoring the ambient air quality at Red Fort, Pusa Road, Lawrence Road, Badli, Jhilmil, Windsor Place, CP, SP Marg, Mathura Road and Safdarjung.

An expert with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said the NO2 level is more bothersome in winter as nitrogen tends to remain close to the surface.
"As the nitrogen and oxygen start reacting amidst the available water in the atmosphere, it causes acid rain and often cause irritation," he said.
Roy Chowdhury warned that this gradual rise in NO2 may prove difficult to control in the future. "Apart from being harmful as a primary pollutant, nitrogen oxides also react in the atmosphere to form ozone and nitrate particles that are more harmful.
These also form a photochemical smog that impairs visibility." Experts blame this on the soaring number of public and private vehicles in the city.
"In CNG mode, the fuel may not be containing nitrogen. But it's the sparking of ignition in these vehicles that converts the nitrogen in the air to oxides," said the DPCC scientist. It's not only the number but the changing composition of public transport that's causing the problem.
"In addition to intensive use of diesel commercial vehicles, diesel passenger cars and SUV numbers have surged that are legally allowed to emit three times more NO2 than petrol vehicles under the current norms. This means one diesel car emits NO2 equal to three petrol cars," said Roy Chowdhury.

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