Delhi is turning into Hitler’s 'gas chamber'! Here's what the increasing smog is doing to your body, and what you need to do

What was used as a means of torture for Jews by the Nazi government has turned into the reality of every Delhiite! 'This way for the gas, ladies and gentlemen' (a story collection on Nazi government by Tadeusz Borowski), should read Delhi's signboards as the city's air pollution is being compared with gas chambers. The air quality index of the city shot up to 451 on a scale where the maximum level is 500. Inhaling this air has been equated with smoking 50 cigarettes a day by doctors. So, who is worse, chain smokers or Delhiites? The latter, it seems.

So, in how many ways fog harms your body? What are its causes and effects? Here we take a look at the undercurrents of the subject.
What is smog?

It refers to a combination of smoke and fog, thus forming the word smog. It is a complex mixture that is formed by various pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and dust particles, which interact with the sunlight to form ground-level ozone, leading to the build-up of haze that hangs in industrial cities.

Causes of smog

Smog is caused as a result of industrial activities, vehicular traffic, open burning, incinerators, higher temperature, geography of a place, sunlight and calmer winds. These all factors contribute to an all-encompassing smog as the length for which smog remains in the atmosphere can be lengthened by higher temperature and sunlight.


If you exercise, cycle or jog outdoors or if you have a job that requires you to stay outdoors, you are more susceptible to the harms of ozone. (Image: AFP)

However, it must be noted that smog is caused in a location that is far from the source of pollution. This is because the process that leads to smog occurs after the hazardous particles have been drifted away by the wind.

Effects of smog

Exposure to smog can be severely harmful for the health of the exposed as it can cause/aggravate health conditions such as follows:

Chest infections/Irritation: When you inhale ground-level ozone, it can affect your respiratory system in an adverse way, leading to coughing and irritation. When you are exposed to it for longer durations, it can even lead to lung infections.

Worsening of asthma/bronchitis/emphysema: Patients of such respiratory problems have the worst of times when smog hits such high levels. Patients can have frequent and severe asthma attacks. In extreme cases, the risk of developing these diseases may also significantly shoot up.

Cold and eye irritation: Smog significantly reduces one's immunity to cold and can cause irritation in the eyes.

Premature mortality: A study by RICE university showed that ground-level ozone and PM 2.5 are direct contributors to an increased risk of premature mortality.

Damage to crops: Besides impacting humans negatively, smog can also inhibit plant growth and cause damage to forests and crops.

Who is at a greater risk?

Smog affects everyone differently, depending on their lifestyle, health condition and age. The groups which are the most susceptible are:

Children: As children spend a lot of time outdoors, they are more prone to getting affected by smog the most. Also, their risk of developing asthma is quite high as it is the most common respiratory ailment among children.


Children are at an increased risk of developing asthma. (Image: BCCL)

People with respiratory disorders: If someone already has respiratory problems like asthma, severe bronchitis or emphysema will experience a worsening of symptoms when they are exposed to smog as they are more vulnerable to the effects of ground-level ozone.

Adults who have high level of outdoor activity: If you exercise, cycle or jog outdoors or if you have a job that requires you to stay outdoors, you are more susceptible to the harms of ozone.

What you can do

The best approach to prevent damage from smog is to limit your outdoor activity. If ozone levels are high, you must stay indoors as much as possible. However, make sure that your homes and offices have a strong exhaust system. This is because the air pollution inside can many-a-times be more harmful than air outside. This happens due to household activities which produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as activities in the kitchen.

There are many Ayurveda hacks also that can help limit the damage caused by ground-level ozone and air pollution.

If you think that by drinking filtered water you can help prevent or limit the damage of air pollution, you are absolutely wrong. Thing to ponder - you merely drink two to four litres of filtered water in a day. Against this, you inhale around 16,000 litres of toxic air every day. Imagine the kind of harm it does to you and your body!