Toxic Air Hits Delhi-NCR: Survey Finds 3 in 4 Households Facing Health Issues

New Delhi: Three out of four households in Delhi-NCR are already experiencing the effects of toxic air, with residents reporting symptoms such as sore throat, cough, burning eyes, headaches, and disturbed sleep, according to an online survey conducted by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles.
An analysis of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that post-Diwali, PM2.5 levels in the region reached 488 micrograms per cubic metre, the highest in five years and more than three times the pre-festival level of 156.6 micrograms per cubic metre. Pollution peaked on Diwali night, October 20, and the early hours of the next morning.
The survey collected over 44,000 responses from residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad. About 42 per cent of households reported that one or more members were suffering from sore throat or cough, while 25 per cent said family members were experiencing burning eyes, headaches, or difficulty sleeping. Around 17 per cent of respondents reported breathing difficulties or aggravated asthma.
To cope with poor air quality, 44 per cent of households said they were trying to reduce outdoor exposure and increase consumption of immunity-boosting foods and drinks. Nearly one-third of respondents said they had consulted or planned to consult doctors for pollution-related health issues.
Despite a 77.5 per cent reduction in stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana due to floods and delayed harvests, Delhi’s air quality remained poor. The Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 400 in several areas, approximately 24 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended PM2.5 exposure level.
LocalCircles said the survey highlights that residents are already feeling the impact of toxic air and called for strict enforcement of anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including the deployment of smog guns and night-time street sweeping to reduce dust.
CPCB data showed that Delhi’s overall AQI on Saturday morning was 261 in the “poor” category, down from 290 a day earlier. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 415, classified as “severe,” among all monitoring stations.