Maharashtra: Mumbaikars are facing diseases like cough and cold due to air pollution and climate change in Mumbai for the last several days. Due to the decrease in temperature, the pollutants present in the air settle in the lower layers of the atmosphere. These dust particles are causing problems like dry cough, cold, sore throat etc. It is taking 10 to 15 days to recover from this. Smoke emitted by vehicles and dust particles from construction sites remain in the air of Mumbai throughout the year. However, as the temperature rises during the day, the air near the ground rises and with it the amount of pollutants also decreases. However, during cold days, the air near the ground remains the same and the smoke and dust particles present in the air enter the body through the breath. This causes problems like cough, sore throat and dry cough, experts said.
Air pollution increases in Mumbai during November and December. At this time, Mumbai’s air is in the ‘bad’ to ‘very bad’ category. This year the air has been recorded in the ‘bad’ category for a long time. The rate of infection is increasing rapidly among patients with low immunity. Experts have expressed the opinion that people suffering from respiratory diseases and diabetes need to take special care during this time. These patients should take their current medicines and diet on time so that the change in air does not affect their health. Home remedies are often used for cough. Given the increasing level of pollution, home remedies for cough should not be used too much, as it may temporarily make one feel better.
However, the cough remains the same for several days. If the cough lasts for more than three days, treatment should be done as per the doctor’s advice, respiratory disease experts have advised. The amount of dust particles with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers has increased in Mumbai’s air. Due to the structure of the body, dust particles larger than 10 micrometers cannot enter the body. However, particles with a size of 2.5 to 5 micrometers damage the nose, ears, throat and larynx. Along with cold, cough and sneezing, it also causes irritation in the eyes. Dust particles less than 2.5 micrometers in size can directly enter the lungs and get deposited there. This can increase asthma and respiratory disorders. Keeping all these things in mind, experts have expressed the opinion that immediate measures need to be taken to reduce dust in Mumbai’s air. On one hand, the temperature has decreased, on the other hand, the problem of increasing air pollution has also increased. For the last few days, bad air has been recorded in Colaba, Worli, Andheri and Malad areas. The amount of PM 2.5 dust particles is high here. Due to this, the number of cold and cough patients is likely to increase.
