New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) As air pollution intensifies in the national capital, health professionals underscored the urgent requirement for solutions that are effective year-round, rather than temporary fixes.

Delhi’s air quality has remained in the very poor category for 15 consecutive days, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reporting an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 338 at 7 a.m.

“We are facing an emergency in Delhi. The measures to mitigate pollution should not be merely temporary; we need long-term solutions for this city immediately,” stated Dr. Anant Mohan, Professor and Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Disorders at AIIMS New Delhi, in an interview with IANS.

“Immediate action is crucial at this juncture,” he added.

The city’s 24-hour average AQI on Friday was recorded at 369, marking the continuation of Delhi’s struggle with very poor air quality for over half the month.

Forecasts from air quality and meteorological agencies predict that there will be no significant improvement in the situation over the next week, as the weather conditions remain largely unfavorable for pollutant dispersion.

“We focus on pollution only when November and December arrive, and during these months we are quite active. However, air quality remains suboptimal even in summer months, falling below global standards,” remarked Dr. Saurabh Mittal from the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at AIIMS Delhi.

“We must develop solutions that are effective throughout the year, not just for a brief period,” Mittal emphasized.

Experts indicated that the persistent unhealthy air levels are attributed to both Delhi's geographic characteristics and human activities.

“The airshed covering the Indo-Gangetic plains, including Delhi, experiences some of the highest pollution levels globally. This is partly due to the region's unique geography, which traps pollutants during winter when winds are calmer. However, many controllable factors contribute to this, including the rising number of vehicles, biomass burning, unregulated factories, festivities that worsen air quality, and ongoing construction,” explained Gautam Menon, Dean of Research and Professor of Physics and Biology at Ashoka University, in an interview with IANS.

Air pollution leads to both immediate and chronic health issues. Short-term effects include coughing, eye irritation, headaches, and asthma flare-ups, whereas long-term consequences encompass severe chronic illnesses such as respiratory diseases, including COPD and lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and nervous system damage, along with developmental problems in children.

Numerous studies have highlighted that environmental pollutants like carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are significant contributors to strokes.

“Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) can enter the bloodstream through the lungs, damaging blood vessels and elevating blood pressure,” stated Dr. (Prof.) P. N. Renjen, a neurologist based in the city, during an interview with IANS.

The experts advised wearing masks during high pollution periods and refraining from outdoor activities in the early morning.