Health and Me

Ishita Roy

As Toxic Air Chokes Delhi, Government Asks Offices To Work At 50% Strength

Delhi Government Order

Amid the continuously worsening air pollution and air quality levels in Delhi, the government has implemented a work-from-home measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). 

As per the notice by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and Department of Environment &amp; Forest, all government offices under the GNCTD and private offices operating within Delhi must now function at 50 percent staff strength, with remaining employees required to work from home. 

Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments may only call essential staff when necessary. However, the overall attendance cannot exceed the 50 percent limit. Private offices have also been instructed to minimize vehicular movement, adopt staggered working hours, and ensure strict adherence to work-from-home protocols to reduce emissions tied to daily commuting. 

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/living-in-delhis-toxic-air-is-a-medical-emergency-according-aiims-doctors-article-153189019" data-type="tilCustomLink">Living In Delhi's Toxic Air Is A 'Medical Emergency', According AIIMS Doctors</a>

<h2>Which Offices Are Not Working From Home?</h2>

Essential services, however, are exempt from these restrictions. Hospitals, health facilities, fire services, public transport, water and sanitation departments, disaster management agencies, electricity services, and teams involved in pollution control and emergency duties will continue operating normally. 

District Magistrates, Deputy Commissioners of Police and local bodies have been directed to ensure strict compliance across all private offices in Delhi. The restrictions take effect immediately and will remain in force for the full duration of GRAP Stage III, or longer if recommended by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

<h2><span rel="noindex">Delhi AQI</span> Today</h2>

On Tuesday morning, as of 7:30 am, Delhi woke up to 'Hazardous' air with the AQI as per the aqi.in, recorded at 426. The AQI in Delhi is showing 1.7 times higher than India's average AQI. 

The particulate matters have long exceeded the safe limits stated by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of today, the PM10 level is 388 µg/m³, which is 8.6 times above the recommended WHO guidelines. Whereas PM2.5 is at 288 µg/m³, which is 19.2 times the WHO guidelines. 

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/delhi-pollution-is-a-major-health-hazard-toxic-air-could-even-cause-organ-damage-according-to-doctors-article-153195211" data-type="tilCustomLink">Delhi Pollution Is A Major Health Hazard, Toxic Air Could Even Cause Organ Damage, According To Doctors</a>

Dr Nikhil Modi, a senior consultant, Respiratory Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in one of his previous video had said that the pollution is an "ever-growing menace". However, he suggests, one can take simple steps to protected against that. 

Like all doctors he too suggested to not go out when the pollution levels are at its peak. "You may go out only if it is very necessary, but wear a mask." As per a 2023 study by an air filter brand, Delhi's air pollution peaked at 9AM and gradually improved as the day progressed. On an average, Delhi sees roughly as half as much PM2.5 by 5PM. The doctor also draws attention on the importance of maintaining a good and healthy diet, especially lots of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants.

<h2>Health Impact Of Air Pollution Beyond The Lungs</h2>

A report by the University of Chicago revealed that air pollution is reducing the life expectancy of Delhi residents by 7.8 years. As per a US-based NGO report by the Health Effects Institute, there has been 30 to 50% increase in lung cancer rates associated with pollutants. A recent 2024 study also revealed that air pollution is not just linked to lung cancer but it can also cause head and neck cancer.

Tata Memorial Hospital published a study in July 2024 that revealed most people who had lung cancer in India never smoked.

"Head and neck cancer is a harder link to show, and it has a much lower occurrence than lung cancers, but since they also occur as a result of smoking, similar to lung cancers, we wanted to explore any connections," said John Cramer, the neck cancer study's lead researcher. "Presumably, the link to head and neck cancer comes from what we breathe to that material affecting the lining in the head and neck. We see a lot of occurrences of where carcinogens touch or pool in the body to where cancers can occur," he explained.

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Amid the continuously worsening air pollution and air quality levels in Delhi, the government has implemented a work-from-home measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). As per the notice by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and Department of Environment & Forest, all government offices under the GNCTD and private offices operating within Delhi must now function at 50 percent staff strength, with remaining employees required to work from home. Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments may only call essential staff when necessary. However, the overall attendance cannot exceed the 50 percent limit. Private offices have also been instructed to minimize vehicular movement, adopt staggered working hours, and ensure strict adherence to work-from-home protocols to reduce emissions tied to daily commuting. Read: Living In Delhi's Toxic Air Is A 'Medical Emergency', According AIIMS DoctorsWhich Offices Are Not Working From Home?  Essential services, however, are exempt from these restrictions. Hospitals, health facilities, fire services, public transport, water and sanitation departments, disaster management agencies, electricity services, and teams involved in pollution control and emergency duties will continue operating normally. District Magistrates, Deputy Commissioners of Police and local bodies have been directed to ensure strict compliance across all private offices in Delhi. The restrictions take effect immediately and will remain in force for the full duration of GRAP Stage III, or longer if recommended by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).Delhi AQI TodayOn Tuesday morning, as of 7:30 am, Delhi woke up to 'Hazardous' air with the AQI as per the aqi.in, recorded at 426. The AQI in Delhi is showing 1.7 times higher than India's average AQI. The particulate matters have long exceeded the safe limits stated by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of today, the PM10 level is 388 µg/m³, which is 8.6 times above the recommended WHO guidelines. Whereas PM2.5 is at 288 µg/m³, which is 19.2 times the WHO guidelines. Also Read: Delhi Pollution Is A Major Health Hazard, Toxic Air Could Even Cause Organ Damage, According To DoctorsWhat Does The Doctor Say?Dr Nikhil Modi, a senior consultant, Respiratory Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in one of his previous video had said that the pollution is an "ever-growing menace". However, he suggests, one can take simple steps to protected against that. Like all doctors he too suggested to not go out when the pollution levels are at its peak. "You may go out only if it is very necessary, but wear a mask." As per a 2023 study by an air filter brand, Delhi's air pollution peaked at 9AM and gradually improved as the day progressed. On an average, Delhi sees roughly as half as much PM2.5 by 5PM. The doctor also draws attention on the importance of maintaining a good and healthy diet, especially lots of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants.Health Impact Of Air Pollution Beyond The LungsA report by the University of Chicago revealed that air pollution is reducing the life expectancy of Delhi residents by 7.8 years. As per a US-based NGO report by the Health Effects Institute, there has been 30 to 50% increase in lung cancer rates associated with pollutants. A recent 2024 study also revealed that air pollution is not just linked to lung cancer but it can also cause head and neck cancer.Tata Memorial Hospital published a study in July 2024 that revealed most people who had lung cancer in India never smoked."Head and neck cancer is a harder link to show, and it has a much lower occurrence than lung cancers, but since they also occur as a result of smoking, similar to lung cancers, we wanted to explore any connections," said John Cramer, the neck cancer study's lead researcher. "Presumably, the link to head and neck cancer comes from what we breathe to that material affecting the lining in the head and neck. We see a lot of occurrences of where carcinogens touch or pool in the body to where cancers can occur," he explained.