Three in four Delhi-NCR households already feeling impact of toxic air: LocalCircles survey

As Delhi’s air quality plunges once again after Diwali, a new survey by LocalCircles reveals that three out of four households in the National Capital Region are already feeling the health impact of toxic air.

Common ailments being reported include sore throat, cough, burning eyes, headache, and sleep difficulties.

The survey, which received over 44,000 responses from residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, found that 42% of households have someone suffering from sore throat or cough. Another 25% reported burning eyes, headaches, or sleep problems. “To sum up, 25% of Delhi NCR families have one or more members with burning eyes, headache and difficulty sleeping due to rising levels of pollution; 42% of households surveyed have someone having sore throat and cough,” the report said.

Despite a reported 77.5% reduction in stubble burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana this year, AQI levels in several parts of Delhi crossed 400 this week, with post-Diwali spikes even breaching 1000 in some localities. The report attributes this to widespread use of firecrackers despite Supreme Court restrictions, coupled with stagnant weather conditions and vehicular emissions. “Due to massive floods in Punjab and Haryana this year there has been considerable loss of crops, and the harvest too has been delayed,” it noted.

The health toll is visible in behavioural shifts. About 44% of Delhi households said they are trying to minimise outdoor air exposure while increasing intake of immunity foods and drinks. Of these, 31% are also using air purifiers, while 15% are choosing to stay indoors and rely on natural remedies. “With Delhi NCR’s AQI levels peaking this week… 44% of Delhi households surveyed [are] trying to minimise outdoor air exposure and increasing intake of immunity/food drinks to cope with toxic air quality,” the report shared.

Medical consultations are also on the rise - 8% said they have already visited a doctor, 9% have gone to both doctors and hospitals, and another 25% have sought online consultations.

LocalCircles has urged authorities to take urgent steps to curb the crisis. “The need of the hour is for various enforcement agencies in neighbouring states to ensure stubble burning is brought down to zero and for local authorities in Delhi and NCR cities to drive high levels of compliance to GRAP restrictions,” the report recommended, calling for the use of anti-smog guns and night-time road cleaning to reduce dust.