In the heart of the nation's capital, the arrival of winter heralds a grim season of hazardous air quality. The Delhi-NCR region, home to millions, becomes a cauldron of toxic air, thick with smog primarily caused by stubble burning. This annual crisis is exacerbated by the season's dense air, trapping pollutants at ground level, hindering their dispersal and creating conditions that are especially dangerous for individuals with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
The culprits of this environmental health hazard are particulate matters, particularly PM 2.5 — particles so fine they can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Commenting on it, Dr. Niranjan Hiremath, a leading cardiovascular and aortic surgeon at Apollo Indraprastha, said, "The dense smog enveloping Delhi is not just an atmospheric phenomenon; it is a serious cardiovascular risk factor, especially for those with pre-existing heart conditions."
