Srinagar, Dec 6, KDC: Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, Professor and Head of Chest Diseases Hospital, Srinagar, has warned that deteriorating air quality during dry and foggy weather is triggering a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses, particularly among asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.
Dr Shah explained that when there is no rainfall or snowfall, atmospheric pollutants remain suspended in the air. With the onset of fog, these fine particles mix with moisture to form smog, leading to reduced visibility and severely affected air quality, especially during the morning hours.
“As a result, patients already suffering from asthma and COPD face a high risk of attacks, while even healthy individuals are witnessing a rise in upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” he told news agency Kashmir Dot Com.
According to Dr Shah, short-term exposure to polluted air leads to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, persistent coughing, breathlessness and chest tightness. He cautioned that continuous exposure to poor air quality can have serious long-term consequences, including neurological complications, increased risk of cancers, and in pregnant women, a higher likelihood of stillbirth and other intranatal complications.
He further stated that snowfall and rainfall play an important role in settling suspended particulate matter and naturally improving air quality. However, in the absence of such natural cleansing, he stressed the need for strict pollution control measures.
Dr Shah emphasized that improving air quality requires collective efforts from both the government and society. He called for strict enforcement of pollution control regulations in industrial areas and their proper isolation from residential zones to limit the emission of poisonous gases and particulate matter.
He also stressed the need to regulate road traffic and improve road conditions to curb dust pollution. Highlighting agricultural practices, Dr Shah pointed out that the burning of post-harvest residue releases heavy smoke, which significantly deteriorates air quality.
Calling for public awareness, he said people must understand how their actions impact the environment so that both acute and chronic health effects of air pollution can be prevented. “Prevention is the most important step in controlling pollution-related diseases,” he added.
Dr Shah advised high-risk patients and elderly citizens to avoid going outdoors during cold, foggy or smoky conditions. If stepping out is unavoidable, he advised them to wear masks or cover their faces with cloth to minimize the harmful effects of inhaling polluted air. (KDC)
