Smog caused by Diwali crackers leaves Amdavadis... - Out of breath

Heavy metals suspended in airafter Diwali leads to 20 per cent rise in number of patients suffering fromasthma, allergies and pulmonary problems

Come Diwali, everyone bursts crackers and celebrates with family and friends. Many feel the heat of this festivity the next day when toxic smog released by the crackers blankets the city and tortures the lungs of people suffering from respiratory and heart ailments.

“Post-Diwali, we see a rise of 20 per cent in number of patients suffering from respiratory ailments and asthma,“ said Dr Rajesh Solanki of pulmonary medicine department at BJ Medical College.

According to data provided by 108 emergency service, cases of allergy, cardiac arrest, respiratory problems and stroke have risen this year. “In 2013, 89 cases were reported. This soared to 102 cases this year.There has been 14.6 per cent rise in the number of respiratory problems this Diwali compared to last year,“ they said.

A study by Prof Nandita D Ganguly of physic department at St Xavier's College Ahmedabad, states bursting crackers releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphate and suspended particulate matters.“Any short-term enhancement in ozone levels coupled with high-level of pollutants during Diwali might prove to be deadly for a large number of elderly people and children with heart and respiratory ailments,“ stated her report.

Every year during Diwali festivities, sulphur dioxide levels in the atmosphere goes up 200 times more than the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, thereby increasing the risk of asthma attack and other smoke and dust allergies by about 100 times.

BREATHING COMPLICATIONS

Heavy metals remain suspended in the air after Diwali due to fog. “Crackers such as phuljhari and anar emit highly toxic heavy metals such as copper, cadmium, lead, manganese, zinc, sodium and potassium.These metals, if present in the air, can cause asthma, severe headache, respiratory diseases and chronic cough. “People without any prior history of respiratory ailments too are at a risk of developing symptoms of coughing, wheezing and breathlessness,“ said doctors.

Explaining further, Dr Solanki said, “We get many patients with respiratory and pulmonary problems as season changes. But pollutants released on Diwali further aggravate their condition.“

Jayesh Trivedi, who treated Kumar, said, “He developed breathing complications due to toxic polluters in the air like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and strontium nitrate released into the air by crackers.“

Cardiologist Sameer Dani said, “We see a surge of 20 to 30 per cent in number of cardiac emergency cases immediately after Diwali.“

“Patients with pre-existing respiratory problems should be careful. Due to toxic waste in the air, many patients also develop allergic reactions and eye diseases,“ said Dr Jay Kothari from Apollo hospital which received around 50 such medical emergency cases this Diwali.