Delhi Air Pollution: Health Ministry urges people to limit outdoor activities, use public transportation

  As air quality continues to deteriorate, the Health Ministry on Friday 25 Oct issued advisory urging the public to limit outdoor activities  . In a letter, issued by Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, the government emphasised that air pollution has become a serious health challenge, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in certain state/UTs reaching moderate to poor levels.

The Ministry also warned that this may even worsen considering the upcoming festival season and onset of winters 

“Air pollution is a significant contributor to acute health conditions and exacerbates the progression of chronic diseases affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular systems. These chronic illnesses, attributed to prolonged exposure to air pollution, often lead to an increase in premature mortality. The adverse effects are particularly severe for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and those who face higher exposure risks due to their occupations, such as traffic police officers and municipal workers,” the Ministry said in a statement.