Panaji: The sharp rise in pollution in Porvorim and Panaji is causing a spike in patients presenting with respiratory symptoms, doctors have said. Pulmonologists — doctors who specialise in the respiratory system — are now recommending that people wear N95 masks while in dusty environments like the Porvorim flyover area and the Dabolim stretch.
“I see 10-15 new patients every week with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis due to dust pollution along the Porvorim stretch,” said consultant pulmonologist Dr Haradatt Karande. “People are coming in with sneezing, nasal congestion, breathlessness, and wheezing. Those with pre-existing asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) are experiencing frequent exacerbations,” he said, adding that the early morning fog has added to the problem. “Some have to be treated with antibiotics, anti-allergy medications, and steroids. Those with recurrent symptoms need intranasal or inhaled steroids for the long term. Delay in treatment may lead to hospitalisation,” he warned.
Dr Rylind Pereira, a pulmonologist based at JMJ Hospital, Porvorim, told TOI that the situation has worsened over the past two weeks, with the dew-dust pollution combination bringing in as many as 10-15 patients, including older children, each day with throat irritation and coughing. “The cold weather is triggering more pollution-related side effects, with the dew not allowing the pollutants to rise, hence keeping them closer to the ground level,” he said.
“The combination of pollution from the fumes of vehicles, concrete dust from highway work, and mud and mineral dust from road digging work, together with dew, is triggering respiratory symptoms,” he said, adding that in asthmatic patients, the situation is even worse. “Those who recovered have returned with a bout of relapse after dew began setting in, which doesn’t allow the dust to rise,” he said. Pereira said that those travelling along the highway, especially early morning, are advised to use a two-ply mask. “Intermittent spraying of water is required to be carried out more frequently on stretches of construction sites,” he said.
Severe dust pollution can cause COPD and permanent decline in lung function, experts say, with children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing lung problems like asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, TB, and other comorbidities like diabetes more susceptible to dust pollution.
Dr Anil Mehndiratta, a pulmonologist based in Vasco, told TOI that if dust pollution symptoms are left untreated, they can worsen over time, where prolonged exposure to poor air quality can even increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, and stunt lung development and function, especially in children. “Long-term exposure to poor air quality can increase the risk of heart disease and even stroke,” he says. “Prolonged exposure can stunt lung development and function,” he said.
Former head of GMC’s department of respiratory medicine, Dr Durga Lawande, said Goa could see a rise in the incidence of respiratory illnesses due to the increased density of vehicles in the state. “We are lucky the situation isn’t alarming in Goa as compared to Delhi yet. We have to take preventive measures right now—phasing out old vehicles on the roads and taking other preventive measures. There needs to be political involvement to ensure our air quality is good,” she said.
Firecrackers too need to be phased out or restricted due to the pollution they cause, she said. “This is a dangerous practice, and without realising it, we are exposing our younger generation to air pollution,” she said.
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