Breathe Easy: Survival Guide For Delhi's Air Pollution

Delhi's air quality is notoriously poor, with a high amount of dangerous pollutants. Exposure to such severe pollution can be harmful to health in many ways, from respiratory issues to depression and even cancer. With pollution levels reaching hazardous highs, it is imperative to take precautions to protect yourself. Here are some ways to safeguard your health and reduce the impact of Delhi's toxic air.

Avoid outdoor exercise and activities, especially for children

Delhi's air pollution can be harmful to health in many ways, and it is important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, so it is important to limit their exposure to outdoor activities when the air quality is poor.

High levels of air pollution can have serious health consequences, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Even short-term exposure can be detrimental, and in the long term, it has been linked to severe issues like depression and cancer. The air in Delhi is often filled with dangerous pollutants, such as particulate matter, gaseous air pollutants, and ground-level ozone, which can have toxic effects on the body.

To protect children from the harmful effects of air pollution in Delhi, it is advisable to restrict their outdoor activities. This is especially important for children under the age of eight. If your child's school has outdoor activities, request that they be suspended or moved to a time when pollution levels are typically lower, such as between 3 pm and 5 pm. This is generally when the concentration of PM 2.5 is at its lowest, and outdoor exposure is less harmful.

It is also beneficial to incorporate certain plants into your home or workspace, such as aloe vera, ivy, and spider plants. These plants act as natural air purifiers, helping to minimise indoor pollution and providing cleaner air for your children to breathe. Additionally, consider using air purifiers, especially in children's bedrooms, to actively reduce the number of pollutants they inhale.

Wear a pollution mask with a carbon filter, exhaust valve, and N95+ filter

If you live in Delhi, air pollution is an unfortunate fact of life. One of the best ways to protect yourself from the harmful effects of air pollution is to wear a pollution mask. Look for masks with a carbon filter, an exhaust valve, and an N95+ filter.

N95 masks are so-called because they filter out at least 95% of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns. For reference, PM2.5 particles, which are among the most harmful, are 2.5 microns. N95 masks are affordable and can be purchased from most convenience stores. They are foldable, making them easy to carry around, and they mould to the shape of your face for a tighter seal.

The exhaust valve on some N95 masks is branded as Cool Flow and offers improved comfort, especially for those who find it difficult to breathe comfortably while wearing masks. The valve also helps to prevent condensation from your breath, which can improve the mask's longevity.

In addition to an N95 mask, you may also want to consider a mask with a carbon filter. Carbon filters are great at filtering out pollutants and are commonly found in air purifiers.

It is important to note that, to be truly effective, masks should be worn properly, with a tight seal to ensure a good fit. This can be achieved by moulding the mask to the shape of your face.

Use air purifiers, especially in the rooms of vulnerable people

Delhi's air pollution can be extremely harmful to the health of its residents, causing coughing, sneezing, throat clearing, burning eyes, and even more severe conditions such as breathing difficulties and worsening asthma. It is therefore important to take steps to protect yourself, especially for vulnerable people.

One way to do this is to use air purifiers, which can help to improve indoor air quality by filtering out pollutants. Ideally, everyone should have an air purifier in their room, but it is especially important for vulnerable people, such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women, who are most prone to the harmful consequences of polluted air.

Air purifiers work by drawing in polluted air through an intake vent and then filtering out large particles such as dust, hair, and lint using a pre-filter. The air then passes through HEPA and activated carbon filters, which capture smaller particles, allergens, and harmful gases like smoke or odours. Some air purifiers also feature UV-C light technology, which kills bacteria, viruses, and mould spores, adding an extra layer of protection.

When choosing an air purifier, it is important to consider the room size and match the purifier accordingly. It is also crucial to maintain the purifier regularly, including replacing the filters as needed. While air purifiers can be effective, they work best in closed spaces, and it is still important to take other precautions, such as wearing masks when outdoors.

Eat a healthy diet with vitamins A, C, and E to combat inflammation

Eating a healthy diet that includes vitamins A, C, and E can help your body combat the negative effects of air pollution, such as inflammation. Vitamins A, C, and E are powerful antioxidants that can help prevent disease and repair muscle cells.

Vitamin A helps to strengthen your eyes, immune system, and production of red blood cells. You can find vitamin A in orange vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin, as well as in spinach, fenugreek, and radishes.

Vitamin C is important for promoting healthy teeth and gums, healing wounds, and helping the body resist infection. It also boosts iron absorption and keeps your immune system strong. You can find vitamin C in citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and Amla, as well as in vegetables.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps repair muscle cells and contributes to cell health. Adults should aim for 15 milligrams of vitamin E per day, which can be found in foods such as oils, nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, avocados, and cooked turnip greens.

In addition to these vitamins, eating jaggery (also known as gudd) can help flush out pollutants from your lungs. You can also consume herbal teas, such as ginger and tulsi tea, once or twice a day to minimize the effects of pollution.

By incorporating these vitamins and foods into your diet, you can help protect your body from the harmful effects of air pollution and maintain your overall health and wellness.

Use air-purifying plants such as aloe vera, ivy, and spider plants

If you live in Delhi, air-purifying plants such as aloe vera, ivy, and spider plants can help you combat indoor air pollution and improve indoor air quality. These plants are low-maintenance and do not require frequent watering or harsh sunlight.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has been shown to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. While data suggests that plants may not be as effective as air purifiers in removing VOCs, they can still aid in the purification of indoor air and the reduction of indoor pollutants.

Ivy, also known as Hedera helix, is a perennial vine that can help pull harmful gases out of the air and into its leaves and roots. English ivy, in particular, has been the subject of controversy due to its toxic components. However, research presented to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology in 2005 showed that English ivy could effectively reduce airborne mold and fecal matter particles. After six hours, 60% of airborne mold and 58% of airborne feces particles had been removed from the air. Therefore, ivy can be a useful addition to your home or workplace to improve air quality, especially when used in conjunction with other strategies such as removing products that emit VOCs and providing adequate ventilation.

Spider plants are also effective air-purifying plants. Former NASA research scientist Bill Wolverton found that spider plants could remove 95% of formaldehyde from the air in a sealed chamber in 24 hours. While more recent data suggests that plants may not be as effective as initially thought in reducing PM2.5 particles in the air, spider plants can still contribute to improving air quality, especially when used in combination with other air-purifying plants.

To maximize the benefits of these air-purifying plants, it is recommended to have two to three plants in 8- or 10-inch pots for every 100 square feet of floor space.

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