Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Amid Toxic Air Pollution, Delhi Hospitals Record More Than 200K Respiratory Cases In 3 Years

The government revealed that in the span of three years between 2022 to 2024, <span>Delhi</span>'s six state run hospitals recorded 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illness. The government also said in parliament that more than 30,000 people were hospitalized in Delhi over three years with respiratory illness. 

For Delhi, toxic air is a recurring problem. In fact, on Friday, December 5, Delhi, the national capital's average air quality index (AQI) dipped to 'very poor' category at 324, at 7am, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). 

For weeks Delhi's PM2.5 levels have stayed 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the span of three years, here is how many case Delhi's six major hospitals have recorded:

"Analysis suggests that increase in pollution levels was associated with increase in number of patients attending emergency rooms. However, this study design cannot provide confirmation that the association is causal," the government told parliament.

<h2>Delhi's AQI Is A Major Health Hazard</h2>

"The smaller the particle the more dangerous it is because it really goes into the depth of our lungs and causes damage there," says Dr. Vivek Nangia, Vice Chairman and Head of Pulmonology at Max Healthcare Saket, as told to <span>news</span> agency PTI.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Dr. Naresh Trehan, MD, Medanta, called the current situation “a major, major health-wise hazard,” stressing that the impact is unfolding across all age groups.

According to Dr. Trehan, pollution is now causing illness “many fold,” with outpatient departments packed with people suffering from cough, cold, chest congestion, asthma attacks, and severe breathing difficulties. But his biggest concern goes beyond the lungs.

He explained that the particulate matter present in polluted air moves far deeper into the body than most people realise. “These particulates go everywhere,” he told ANI. “They get absorbed into the blood, they go to your brain, they go to your kidneys, they go to your liver.”

Dr. Trehan added that the chronic effects of such constant exposure are making the public “sicker than they would be if they were living in a cleaner area.” Children, he warned, face an even greater threat as trapped toxic gases and particulate matter during winter behave “like a gas chamber,” potentially harming neurological development.

Giving the scientific context behind this damage, Dr Nangia told PTI that the toxicity varies by particle size.

Particles larger than 5–10 microns usually stay in the upper respiratory tract, causing symptoms like throat irritation, watery eyes, and a runny nose. However, “a particle size less than 2.5 microns goes into the lungs,” he explained. Even more dangerous are particles smaller than 0.5 microns, which “go directly into the bloodstream from the lungs and trigger an inflammatory cascade.”

This cascade, Dr. Nangia said, spreads through the body and can inflame various organs—contributing to asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

<h2>Not Just Limited To Respiratory Issues</h2>

Delhi's toxic air does not just impact respiratory health, but it also has adverse impact on one's blood health, reproductive health, and even cause obesity. 

As per a 2024 study published in the journal BMC Public Health, titled Association of Ambient Air Pollution With Hemoglobin Levels and Anemia In The General Population of Korean Adults noted the detrimental effects of air pollution exposure on hemoglobin concentrations and anemia in specific populations, which included children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

The study noted that the pollutants in the air contributes to disturbances in iron homeostasis, thus the exposure to air pollution leads to cellular iron deficiency through the activation of oxidation production. It also increases secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. This pro-inflammatory cytokines that are now increased cause a deficiency erythropoietin secretion, resulting in anemia.

In addition, exposure to air pollution increases the secretion of reactive oxygen species, resulting in oxidative stress. In 2008, an experimental study in a murine model reported that oxidative stress was closely related to iron deficiency anemia.

Doctors have pointed out that Delhi's high air pollution significantly impacts fertility in both men and women by damaging sperm quality and egg reserves through oxidative stress. In men, this can lead to reduced sperm count, motility, and DNA integrity. In women, it can decrease the ovarian reserve, cause hormonal disruption, and increase the risk of miscarriage

As per a 2021 study titled Effect of Air Pollution on Obesity in Children: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, there is a connection between air pollution and weight gain through biological behavioral mechanism. The major pollutants causing obesity are nitrous oxides, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter.

These could lead to systematic inflammation and metabolic disturbances, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. The study mentions that fine particulate matter [PM2.5], when it enters our body, it influences the metabolism rates.

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The government revealed that in the span of three years between 2022 to 2024, Delhi's six state run hospitals recorded 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illness. The government also said in parliament that more than 30,000 people were hospitalized in Delhi over three years with respiratory illness. For Delhi, toxic air is a recurring problem. In fact, on Friday, December 5, Delhi, the national capital's average air quality index (AQI) dipped to 'very poor' category at 324, at 7am, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). For weeks Delhi's PM2.5 levels have stayed 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the span of three years, here is how many case Delhi's six major hospitals have recorded:2022: 67,0542023: 69,2932024: 68,411"Analysis suggests that increase in pollution levels was associated with increase in number of patients attending emergency rooms. However, this study design cannot provide confirmation that the association is causal," the government told parliament.Delhi's AQI Is A Major Health Hazard"The smaller the particle the more dangerous it is because it really goes into the depth of our lungs and causes damage there," says Dr. Vivek Nangia, Vice Chairman and Head of Pulmonology at Max Healthcare Saket, as told to news agency PTI.Speaking to news agency ANI, Dr. Naresh Trehan, MD, Medanta, called the current situation “a major, major health-wise hazard,” stressing that the impact is unfolding across all age groups.According to Dr. Trehan, pollution is now causing illness “many fold,” with outpatient departments packed with people suffering from cough, cold, chest congestion, asthma attacks, and severe breathing difficulties. But his biggest concern goes beyond the lungs.He explained that the particulate matter present in polluted air moves far deeper into the body than most people realise. “These particulates go everywhere,” he told ANI. “They get absorbed into the blood, they go to your brain, they go to your kidneys, they go to your liver.”Dr. Trehan added that the chronic effects of such constant exposure are making the public “sicker than they would be if they were living in a cleaner area.” Children, he warned, face an even greater threat as trapped toxic gases and particulate matter during winter behave “like a gas chamber,” potentially harming neurological development.Giving the scientific context behind this damage, Dr Nangia told PTI that the toxicity varies by particle size.Particles larger than 5–10 microns usually stay in the upper respiratory tract, causing symptoms like throat irritation, watery eyes, and a runny nose. However, “a particle size less than 2.5 microns goes into the lungs,” he explained. Even more dangerous are particles smaller than 0.5 microns, which “go directly into the bloodstream from the lungs and trigger an inflammatory cascade.”This cascade, Dr. Nangia said, spreads through the body and can inflame various organs—contributing to asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.Not Just Limited To Respiratory IssuesDelhi's toxic air does not just impact respiratory health, but it also has adverse impact on one's blood health, reproductive health, and even cause obesity. As per a 2024 study published in the journal BMC Public Health, titled Association of Ambient Air Pollution With Hemoglobin Levels and Anemia In The General Population of Korean Adults noted the detrimental effects of air pollution exposure on hemoglobin concentrations and anemia in specific populations, which included children, pregnant women, and the elderly.The study noted that the pollutants in the air contributes to disturbances in iron homeostasis, thus the exposure to air pollution leads to cellular iron deficiency through the activation of oxidation production. It also increases secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. This pro-inflammatory cytokines that are now increased cause a deficiency erythropoietin secretion, resulting in anemia.In addition, exposure to air pollution increases the secretion of reactive oxygen species, resulting in oxidative stress. In 2008, an experimental study in a murine model reported that oxidative stress was closely related to iron deficiency anemia.        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by HealthAndMe (@healthandmedotcom)]]>Doctors have pointed out that Delhi's high air pollution significantly impacts fertility in both men and women by damaging sperm quality and egg reserves through oxidative stress. In men, this can lead to reduced sperm count, motility, and DNA integrity. In women, it can decrease the ovarian reserve, cause hormonal disruption, and increase the risk of miscarriageAs per a 2021 study titled Effect of Air Pollution on Obesity in Children: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, there is a connection between air pollution and weight gain through biological behavioral mechanism. The major pollutants causing obesity are nitrous oxides, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter.These could lead to systematic inflammation and metabolic disturbances, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. The study mentions that fine particulate matter [PM2.5], when it enters our body, it influences the metabolism rates.