Noida, 23 October 2014: In our consciousness, Diwali is
almost synonymous with firecrackers. Think Diwali and the sound of explosions
and their glistening light is the first thing that comes to mind. But, with the
fun that they offer, Diwali firecrackers also bring air and noise pollution,
and occasionally some hazardous effects.
As
we celebrate Diwali this year, it is important to raise consciousness among the
people regarding safe and environment friendly celebrations to make the
festival a happy and safe affair for one and all.
Often
during and after Diwali, doctors see an increase in patients having asthmatic
attacks due to the congestion in the air. The high decibel noise caused by
hundreds of firecrackers also causes unease in heart patients and those who
have hypertension. Besides, the most notorious effect of crackers is burn
injuries that occur due to accidents or lack of safe practices.
The
crackers can also be a cause of hearing impairment, high blood pressure,
sleeping disturbances and sudden exposure to loud noise can cause temporary or
permanent deafness or even result in heart attacks. In extreme case, some
people may experience nausea and temporary delirious state of mind.
Fireworks
can cause air, noise and land pollution which entails serious threat on the
health of senior citizens, children, infants, adult and asthmatics. The harmful
gasses that are released in the environment when mixed with carbon monoxide
from traffic pollution and early winter fog can be extremely harmful for asthma
patients. Asthmatic patients are prone to have asthma attacks during this
festival.
Suspended
particulate matter (SPM) can lead to serious headaches and abridged mental
perspicacity. The after-effects are more severe for people suffering from heart,
lung or central nervous system diseases and can cause restrictive lung disease,
and pneumoconiosis.
“Apart
from burn accidents that happen inevitably during Diwali, there are other
health aspects that need to be highlighted ahead of the festival. People with
disease of the respiratory system are the hardest hit as there is hardly any
escape for them from the congested air. Sulphur dioxide can cause contractions
in the respiratory system. Other pollutants can also cause burning in the eye, headaches, and other respiratory problems
like pulmonary emphysema. Cardiac patients are at a risk too because loud
explosions can be harmful to them. All these issues should be taken into
account while celebrating Diwali,” says Dr.Gyanendra
Agrawal, Consultant, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Jaypee Hospital.
Firecrackers
causes chest and throat blockage and is likely to worsen problems for those
already suffering from coughs, colds and respiratory allergies. The harmful
after-affects may include acute
exacerbation of bronchial asthma, eye infections, allergic bronchitis,
emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases),
allergic rhinitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and the number of patients
of common cold also increases during Diwali.
The crackers
are one of the aggravating factors for childhood bronchial asthma and there is
threat of exposure even if these fireworks are not burnt. These particles are
very small (1 to 5 microns in size) and contain metals along with carbon has
disastrous after effects.
“The crackers produces huge amount of
sound pollution that have high decibel levels. They may interfere with the
normal functioning of the brain and may result in restlessness, impulsive
behavior, anger, fidgetiness and over-reaction to situations. Children,
pregnant women, heart patients and those suffering from respiratory problems
suffer the most due to the excessive noise,” says Dr. Agrawal.
There
are repercussions for skin too. The air pollution created by harmful chemicals
and gases can cause extreme dryness and skin allergies.
As
much as we love to celebrate Diwali, we must pay attention to the health
concerns of the society, especially if we live in populated neighborhoods where
the elderly, little children, pregnant women or patients of respiratory or
heart diseases may be living.
It is
advisable to:
·
Limit
use of firecrackers and abstain from using loud explosives.
·
Wear
face masks to prevent inhaling the poisonous mix of gases.
·
Wear
ear plugs if you are a cardiac or hypertension patient to minimize the impact
of high decibel explosions.
·
Never
leave the firecrackers half burnt; better douse them in water before disposing
·
Follow
extreme care and always burn crackers in an open area
About Jaypee Hospital
The
Jaypee Hospital, Noida - a 1200
bedded tertiary care multi-super-specialty facility and the flagship hospital
of the Jaypee Group is shortly getting commissioned with 525 beds in the first
phase. It has been built across a sprawling twenty-five acre campus, which is
easily accessible from Delhi, Noida and the Yamuna Expressway; and its plan,
design and construction of this hospital would position it amongst very few
LEED certified hospital buildings in India.
For more information, please contact:
Jaypee Hospital, Noida
Richa
Tiku +91 8010399622 
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