Study suggests air pollution in Delhi cuts down life span by 10 years; here's how to protect yourself and minimize risk

According to a recent Air Quality Life Index report by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, Delhi is the world's most polluted city in the world and the air pollution shortens life span by nearly 10 years.

It was also reported that India is currently the world's second most polluted country in the world after Bangladesh. Over 63% of India's population is said to live in areas that exceed the country’s national air quality standard of 40 µg/m3.

As per AQLI report, the Indo-Gangetic Plain is the most polluted region in the world. The annual average PM 2.5 level for Delhi in 2020 was 107 µg/m3, which is more than 21 times the guideline of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

If the current air pollution levels remain consistent or worsen, more than half a billion people from Punjab to West Bengal can expect their life span cut down by 7.6 years on an average.

Going by the reports, it is necessary to take matters into our own hands and resort to certain measures.

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At a time, when the air quality has deteriorated to such a drastic extent, it is crucial that you remain indoors. Avoid stepping out too often and limit your outdoor exercises. Older people who are accustomed to going for early morning walks should refrain from doing so, atleast until positive updates about the same come to the fore.

Additionally, help your children find activities to do at home. While ideally, parents should encourage their children to play outside, with such unhealthy air quality, it is best to curb their outdoor movements.

Face masks became one of the best possible measures against the SARs-CoV-2 virus.

In light of the current scenario, where air pollution has taken such a significant toll on people's lives, cutting short their life span by almost 10 years, wearing masks continues to remain crucial.

It helps keep toxic air at bay and protects your lungs from harmful pollutants. There are currently various mask types to choose from. However, N95 masks are said to be the most efficient at protecting against pollution.

For those who can afford it, air purifiers are a great technological device to remove dirty air particles. Indoor air can be as harmful as outdoor air, as sometimes pollutants can travel from outside into your homes. That said, air purifiers help clean and purify the air in your home, maintaining long term health of your family and yourself.

Plants such as aloe vera, areca palms, spider plant, ivy, snake plant, bamboo palm, Warneck Dracaena are said to purify indoor air, while decreasing air pollution. These are not only cost-effective, but are also helpful for the environment.

Do not compromise on your diet. There are several healthy foods that are beneficial for your respiratory health. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and healthy fats in your diet, so as to help your body to fight against the ill-effects of air pollution. You must also load up on your nutrients to protect your immunity. Stay hydrated at all times and do not slack off on your physical activities.