Delhi NCR Hits Ground Zero as Air Pollution Worries Soar to 75%

New Delhi: A recent poll released on Wednesday has revealed shocking data about the impact of air pollution on families in the National Capital Region (NCR), with a staggering 75% of households bearing at least one member suffering from respiratory problems such as coughs, sore throats, and breathing difficulties.

The study conducted by LocalCircles, an online community platform, gathers responses from over 21,000 people across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, highlighting the alarming consequences of increasing pollution levels in the region. The survey found that 58% of families reported headaches, while half had a member struggling with asthma or breathing problems.

Air Quality Index (AQI) hits record highs

The AQI in some areas have crossed 1000, comparable to living in a gas chamber. PM2.5 levels reached a high of 1500, forcing residents to take extreme measures to cope. In response, 27% of families are now using air purifiers, up from 18% last month, while 23% admitted to not taking any precautions.

"Government employees across the NCR have been asked to work from home," sources disclosed, citing stringent regulations enforced by authorities under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV. Schools too have shifted to an online format.

Growing concern

Despite the government's efforts, concerns persist about the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR. LocalCircles' findings emphasize the need for urgent action and stricter regulations to mitigate the impact of pollution on residents.

The shocking revelation of over 75% of households being affected by air pollution paints a grim picture of what that living in a severely polluted environment looks like, the report found out from those who've suffered their own share at this unyielding ordeal.