Delhi air pollution: 5 shocking facts you might not know

As the winter comes in India, the biggest celebration, usually at the time of Diwali, the wind in Delhi becomes dense and brown, which also includes visual pollutants. The air quality in the national capital deteriorates every year due to several factors, including burning of crop stalks, emissions from vehicles and industrial smoke.

The air pollution crisis presents a collection of stunning and worrying facts that highlight the health of the residents, the city’s infrastructure and its serious impact on the economy. Here is a list of five facts about the air quality of Delhi which can surprise you.

1. The Red Fort is losing its red color and turning black: The red sandstone of the prestigious Red Fort of the 17th century is gradually turning black, and the reason for this is the deteriorating air pollution of the city. According to a joint study by Indian and Italian researchers published in the Heritage Journal, researchers found the black layers of pollutants on the monument walls.

Between 2022-24, two lakh residents reported to be hospitalized due to air pollution: According to a report citing data from six central hospitals, more than 2 lakh Delhi residents were admitted to the hospital for respiratory problems related to air pollution between 2022 and 2024. In 2024 alone, more than 68,000 cases of acute respiratory disease (ARI) were reported in Delhi.

3. Lungs of millions of children have deteriorated due to air pollution: due to poor quality of air in the city Damage of irreversible lungs About 2.2 million children. Long exposure to it can also cause chronic respiratory problems like asthma and later increase the risk of heart and neurological diseases in life.

4. Due to this, residents are growing old: Delhi pollution is accelerating the process of physical age. Subtle particles (PM 2.5) that blocks the lungs of the residents, also enters the skin layers to the depths, resulting in inflammation, oxidative stress and rupture of collagen.

“Air pollution takes small particles called Particulate Matter (PM). It will enter deep layers of the skin and produce inflammation, will give black spots and sluggish forms. Long exposure to air pollution is likely to compromise the natural obstruction of the skin, causing the skin to become dehydrated and irritable and thus, the symptoms of aging start to appear,” Dr. Ruben Bhasi Parasi – Consultant – Consultation – Advice According to the 2024 report of Tavacharya, CK Birla Hospital Times Now, Gurugram.

5. Microplastics in the air: A recent report has shown that microplastics – invisible small plastic particles for naked eyes – are present in Delhi’s air throughout the year. It found that in the summer (21.1) of Delhi’s adult winter (21.1) in winter (21.1) in the winter (21.1), one refers to a 97% increase. Adults in Delhi can breathe between 1,935 to 5,621 microplastic particles annually.

Also read: Delhi will go to Supreme Court to allow certified green firecrackers on Diwali