Kanpur: The residents continued to breathe polluted air with the air quality remaining in the 'poor' category here on Monday.
According to Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality index stands at 270 here. It was categorised as the 'poor', with particulate matter 2.5 as the main pollutant in the air.
The residents have blamed the bursting of crackers on the occasion of Diwali for the thick layer of smog covering the entire city.
"The air has become so polluted that it's getting difficult to breathe early in the morning. A layer of thick smog has covered the entire city due to the cracking of the firecrackers", says a conscientious local.
After the pollution levels enhanced owing to the impacts of the firecrackers at various places after Diwali, doctors begin to think that the pollution might increase the risk of COVID-19 infections in the national capital and can also hinder brain development among younger children.
Dr Arunesh Kumar, the Head of Department (HOD) of Pulmonology at Paras Hospital, Guru Gram said that air pollution has activated serious health problems.
He also cautioned against the risk of inclination in the COVID-19 cases due to pollution, combined with winter air.
Expressing deep concern over the pollution on the younger children, Dr Naresh Trehan, Medanta Hospital Chairman and MD said, "Everyone will suffer from air pollution.
People complain of headaches, breathing problems especially people with asthma and lung problems.
Young children are very vulnerable and this pollution can affect their brain development too."
