As Gurugram was engulfed in smog on Tuesday, the Education Department issued a notice asking all private and government schools to change their timings to 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
An official in the Met Department said apart from vehicular pollution, burning of crop stubble and low velocity wind during the past few days had contributed to making the smog condition worse across the state.
The average level of PM 2.5 was 305 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m³), seven times higher than the safe limit of 60g/m³. According to officials of the Met Department, the situation is going to worsen in coming days with no prediction of rain or strong wind. Other air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and ozone, however, remained below the prescribed limit.
Dr Sumit, a neurologist at Artemis Hospitals, said a sudden dip in temperature, dust particles emanated in the air by construction activities, vehiclur emissions and stubble-burning had led to a spurt in cases of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory disorders. Many residents reportedly complained of a burning sensation in their eyes and reported bad throat due to smog.
“There is a huge rise in pollution. At present I am not sending my child to school. My ward Prakhar is studying in class seven in KR Mangalam School,” said Lata Agrawal, a resident of Model Town. Prakhar said he bought a mask so he could go out to play with friends. “I was not been able to go to school or play for two days,” he added.
Sailesh Sharma of the Apna Enclave Residents Welfare Association said children and elderly citizens were worst affected. “We have requested residents in our society to avoid going out and urged them not to send their children to school or for outdoor games till situation stabilises,” he remarked.
Dr Himanshu Garg, head, department of respiratory and critical care, Artemis Hospitals, said: “There has been a huge spike in pollution levels throughout the NCR. This can be detrimental to the health of patients with respiratory ailments and also for children and the elderly. They are advised to limit outdoor activity and be compliant with their medications. Those with symptoms should consult physicians.”
Arvind Chabra, India head, Blueair, said: “There are many studies which highlight how pollution hampers the lung and brain development of the children, in fact we get many requests from schools in Gurugram for providing them with an air purification system that can assure clean air for school children.”