Nov 29, 2024
Understanding the cigarette equivalence of Delhi’s toxic air
Siddhartha JanaDuring winter, Delhi's air quality frequently drops into the'severe plus' category, causing substantial health hazards, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory disorders.
Source: Canva
The cigarette equivalency of air pollution reduces health hazards by comparing the effects of particulate matter (PM2.5) inhalation to smoking. Every 22 µg/m³ of PM2.5 exposure over 24 hours equals one cigarette.
Source: Canva
PM2.5 particles, which are smaller than 2.5 micrometres, penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and cause harm akin to cigarette smoke.
Source: Canva
The severity of pollution's health impact depends on factors such as the Air Quality Index (AQI), exposure time, and physical activity levels (which affect inhalation rate).
Source: Canva
On days with'severe plus' air quality in Delhi, PM2.5 levels can exceed 500 µg/m³, comparable to the effect of smoking 23 cigarettes daily. Hotspots can reach up to 1,000 µg/m³, equivalent to nearly 45 cigarettes per day.
Source: Canva
Prolonged exposure to such severe pollution levels can induce lung damage equivalent to years of smoking in just weeks, emphasising the crucial need for mitigation techniques.
Source: Canva
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