# How to Stay Safe Amid Hazardous AQI Levels and Severe Air Pollution

> Air quality in Delhi has plummeted to very poor categories following Diwali, prompting expert Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha to share essential precautions to protect respiratory health from toxic smog.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Health · **Published:** 2026-11-10 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/health/gnbhira-pradushana-aura-khataranaka-ekyuai-ke-daura-men-kina-baton-ka-rakhen-khasa-dhyana-janie-jaruri-upaya-58706 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** air pollution, AQI, Delhi pollution, health precautions, Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha

Following the festivities of Diwali, the air quality in the national capital of Delhi has deteriorated significantly, shrouding several areas in a thick blanket of smog and haze during the early morning hours. According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board, the Air Quality Index was recorded at 368 at seven in the morning, placing it firmly in the very poor category. This hazardous pollution level is causing widespread discomfort and health complications for residents. Consequently, questions are being raised about the necessary precautions people must take during such severe conditions. **Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha**, director and unit head of pulmonology at Fortis Faridabad, outlines the vital measures individuals should follow to navigate this toxic air safely.

 

## Impact of Hazardous AQI on Human Health
 Poor air quality exerts a direct and detrimental effect on our respiratory system and lungs. Microscopic pollutants suspended in the air, such as PM2.5 and PM10, can easily penetrate deep into the lungs through normal breathing, triggering inflammation, breathing difficulties, and various other respiratory complications. Prolonged and continuous exposure to heavily polluted air significantly elevates the risk of developing asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other severe pulmonary ailments.

 

## Essential Precautions to Protect Yourself
 According to medical experts, the most crucial precaution during hazardous AQI conditions is for people to avoid stepping out of their homes unnecessarily. This restriction applies particularly to the morning and evening hours when pollution concentration levels tend to peak. Activities like morning walks, jogging, cycling, and outdoor exercise should be temporarily suspended. If venturing outdoors is absolutely unavoidable, individuals must wear a well-fitted N95 or N99 respirator mask. Ordinary cloth masks or standard surgical masks fail to provide adequate protection against fine microscopic pollutants.

 

## Safeguarding Indoor Air Quality
 Mitigating air pollution risks inside residential spaces is equally important. Keep doors and windows firmly shut, especially during times when outdoor air quality reaches extremely poor levels. Households can utilize air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters to maintain cleaner indoor air. When dusting or cleaning floors, opt for a wet cloth or mop instead of dry brooms to prevent settled dust from becoming airborne. Furthermore, strictly avoid burning incense sticks, mosquito coils, candles, and any other smoke-generating items indoors.

 

## Vulnerable Groups and When to See a Doctor
 Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals suffering from preexisting asthma or cardiovascular conditions must exercise extreme caution. Maintain proper hydration by drinking adequate water and consume a well-balanced diet, though it must be noted that simply drinking water or eating specific foods cannot neutralize the harmful effects of pollution. If you experience prominent symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, persistent coughing, wheezing, or severe burning sensations in the eyes, do not ignore these warning signs and consult a doctor immediately.

## What this means for you
The severe surge in hazardous AQI levels requires ordinary citizens to make immediate practical adjustments to protect their daily health and well-being.

- **Across India:** Residents living in urban centers experiencing very poor to severe air quality must restrict early morning outdoor exposure. Individuals with existing respiratory or cardiac ailments need to remain exceptionally vigilant about their daily routine.
- **In Delhi:** With the local Air Quality Index touching 368, citizens must wear certified N95 masks whenever stepping outdoors. Families with young children and elderly members should keep them indoors to avoid toxic smog inhalation.
- **Daily Activities:** Routine outdoor exercise regimens such as morning walks, running, and cycling should be put on hold. Indoor cleaning routines must switch from dry sweeping to wet mopping to keep settled dust grounded.
- **Diet and Hydration:** Staying well-hydrated and eating a balanced diet helps support overall physical resilience during heavy pollution spells. However, individuals must remember that food and water alone cannot eliminate toxic pollutant absorption.
- **Medical Attention:** Anyone experiencing persistent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or acute eye irritation should seek immediate medical consultation. Ignoring these early warning signs can lead to severe health complications.

## Why this happened
The sudden escalation of toxic air pollution and hazardous AQI levels following Diwali is driven by a combination of seasonal shifts and local environmental factors.

- **Seasonal Transitions:** The onset of winter brings cooler temperatures and significantly lower wind speeds. These atmospheric changes trap heavy pollutant particles close to the ground level.
- **Local Emissions:** Continuous vehicular exhaust, road dust, and urban emissions persistently load the lower atmosphere with particulate matter.
- **Festive Factors:** Emissions from firecrackers burned during Diwali, combined with regional stubble burning incidents, cause a sharp spike in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations.
- **Atmospheric Conditions:** Stagnant wind patterns and high atmospheric moisture prevent pollutants from dispersing efficiently. This trapping effect creates dense morning layers of smog and haze.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What was Delhi's AQI recorded at?
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi's Air Quality Index was recorded at 368 at seven in the morning.

### 2. How does hazardous AQI affect human health?
It directly impacts the respiratory system and lungs, causing inflammation, breathing difficulties, and long-term pulmonary risks.

### 3. What type of mask should people wear outdoors?
Individuals should wear a well-fitted N95 or N99 respirator mask when going outside.

### 4. How can indoor air pollution be minimized?
Keep doors and windows shut, use HEPA air purifiers, and use wet mops instead of dry brooms for cleaning.

### 5. Who needs to take extra precautions during this period?
Children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and people with pre-existing asthma or heart conditions must take special care.

### 6. What symptoms require immediate medical attention?
Symptoms like shortness of breath, chest tightness, persistent coughing, wheezing, or severe eye irritation require immediate doctor consultation.

### 7. Which hospital is Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha associated with?
Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha serves as the director and unit head of pulmonology at Fortis Faridabad.

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