Union government is taking measures to control pollution, which may spike after the lockdown is lifted nationwide next month.

India is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world. Air quality improved drastically in India after the lockdown. 

Experts are worried that high pollution levels may make people more prone to getting infected by Coronavirus. The risk increases further for people who suffer from chronic health risks like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

“Currently, we have clean air due to the lockdown, but this respite is short term. After the restrictions are lifted and human activities start, there will be a sudden rise in air pollution,” said T. K. Joshi, member of (CPCB) 

“We need to look at options for keeping the air pollution levels low even after the lockdown as it may have an adverse impact on people, making them more prone to covid-19,” he added.

Joshi told that health and environment ministers would be meeting next week to discuss measures for controlling pollution levels if the lockdown would be lifted on 4 May.

Air pollution is responsible for more deaths as compared to any other non-communicable disease. In 2018, the third meeting in the United Nations on NCDs recognized that outdoor and indoor pollution is the fifth biggest risk factor for non-communicable, along with tobacco smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption.

A new study done by Havard found that there is a large association between covid-19 death and other chronic diseases that are linked with long term exposure to fine matter. It increases the vulnerability of getting more severe outcomes of COVID-19 disease.

The study also claimed that 1g/m3 rise in PM2.5 is linked with a 15% rise in the death rate of covid-19. This increases the risk for people who have been living in polluted areas for decades.

Air pollution is also linked to health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, that increase the risk of COVID-19. Any health condition which is responsible for weakening the immune system increases the risk of getting COVID-19 infection.

“Covid-19 affects the respiratory system. As high levels of air pollution can cause damage to the lungs, it makes one more susceptible to either getting the infection or to getting complications from covid-19,” said Dr. Nevin Kishore, head of respiratory medicine, bronchology, Max Healthcare.

“The virus is not only transmitted by touch. A polluted area will have more dust particles that can act as a piggyback or carrier for the virus to sit on. A water droplet can settle down, while a dust particle will remain suspended in the air for longer,” said Sharma.

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