Delhi Pollution: 41% people suffer from cancer-causing metal toxicity

The situation refuses to get any better in the national capital. According to a survey, around 41% of the Delhi population is suffering from severe heavy metal toxicity. It is also reported that out of 165 patients, 68 patients were found positive for some kind of severe metal toxicity. Metals like aluminum, mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium were the most commonly found metals in these patients. Pollution is seen as the major reason behind increasing metal toxicity in human body. As Delhi continues to reel under the hazardous air quality, the Air Quality Index on Tuesday morning was 381, which comes under the 'very poor' category, according to SAFAR.

The survey has now sparked off a scare as increasing metal toxicity can make people vulnerable to health hazards like cancer. It may even result in congenital defects and adverse pregnancies. Such high levels of metals in the human body can also lead to chronic kidney diseases, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, cardiac diseases, infertility, and epilepsy. As the living condition continues to worsen in the capital, the health of the children, who are the most vulnerable lot, becomes the matter of primary concern.

According to the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, contaminated water, air, and soil are responsible for about 16% of global deaths. Adding to people's horror, it was also reported that about 92% of early deaths due to environmental toxicity occur in low and middle-income countries which includes India. It is also urged that if someone is having symptoms like muscle or joint pain, headache, mood swings, persistent tiredness, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, poor immunity, unexplained hair loss and skin problems, frequent deep-seated allergies or illness is worsening without any reason, then he or she should consider a metal toxicity scan.

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The Odd-Even scheme by the Delhi Government

The Delhi government has implemented the Odd-Even scheme from Monday in a bid to curb air pollution. The scheme entails that vehicles with odd and even number plates will ply on alternate days. It has commenced from Monday and will continue till November 15. Women-driven vehicles, cars ferrying school children, taxis, ministers of the Central government have been exempted from the ambit of this scheme. However, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his ministerial colleagues will abide by the Odd-Even rule. Addressing the media on Monday, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia claimed that there was high compliance pertaining to this scheme and stated that 192 challans had been issued. 

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