It has been nearly seven years since Kothrud resident Sangeeta Khare (34) stepped out of her house during Diwali.
It has been nearly seven years since Kothrud resident Sangeeta Khare (34) stepped out of her house during Diwali. An asthma patient, Khare had landed in a hospital in after getting 'choked' on smoke during the festive season. "Since then, I not only avoid going out, but also keep all the windows shut. I have to take preventive medicines almost five days before the season sets in," said Khare.
However this year, Khare has a reason to smile. With the firecrackers sellers association predicting a 30 per cent loss in business, asthmatics like Khare can breathe easy.
Docs happy
And so can doctors. Chest medicine specialists say that in wake of H1N1 and the worsening air pollution levels in the city, the fate of asthmatics was really bleak.
"The fact that the cracker business will be less by 30 per cent is great news. What happens is that the air quality is already at its worst. That, along with Diwali pollution, can trigger asthma attacks and such people are at a great risk of contracting H1N1 and developing complications," said chest physician Dr Nitin Abhyankar.
According to figures obtained from the Maharashtra Pollution and Control Board, the air quality in Pune worsens each year during the winter months, starting with Diwali. In some areas, the air pollution
during Diwali is nearly twice the permissible limit.
Survey
The Chest Research Foundat-ion (CRF) had carried out a survey in Kothrud two years ago that showed that pollution levels during Diwali was 200 times above normal. During this period, nearly 50 per cent local residents had developed chest related problems.
"It is a known fact that firecracker fumes and suspended matter trigger asthma attacks. Also one is more likely to catch H1N1 if they are working in or exposed to polluted areas. With the swine flu toll rising and past deaths showing that asthmatics are at high risk, we had advised prophylactic treatment for all patients," said Dr Vinay Dharmadhikari, chest physician at Jehangir and Ruby Hall hospitals.
Said Dr Sandeep Salvi, director of CRF, "When people are exposed or asthmatics get an attack, the body's defence system gets confused whether to fight the virus or clean pollutants. Also, pollutants like sulphur dioxide, carbon mono- xide and particulate matter weaken cells. So, the virus gets a chance to multiply and the body's defence breaks down.
"Though we would have preferred that firecracker pollution be nil this time, especially with H1N1 around, at least it's heartening that there is some drop in business. A few people will be saved."
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