Delhi Air Quality CPCB Samir App: Is India heading towards a silent health emergency? Central government orders opening of chest clinics in all districts – now special watch on respiratory diseases in hospitals! Is this the beginning of the real disaster of air pollution?
Air Pollution Health Advisory 2025: Air pollution in India has now become not only an environmental but also a public health emergency. In view of this danger, the Union Health Ministry has issued a new Air Pollution Health Advisory 2025 in all the states and districts across the country. Under this guideline, orders have been given to open “Chest Clinic” in every government hospital, so that the diseases related to air pollution can be treated in time.
What is the new order – ‘Chest Clinic’ will be built in every hospital?
According to the new guidelines, under the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), special chest clinics will now be created in district hospitals, community health centers (CHC) and urban health centers (UHC).
In these clinics, diseases related to air pollution like-
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Heart Diseases
Will be examined, treated and followed up.
These clinics have been directed to maintain digital records of every patient and do daily reporting of cases related to air pollution.
Role of door-to-door monitoring and ASHA worker
The central government has ordered ASHA and ANM workers to go door-to-door to identify people who are vulnerable to pollution – such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and patients already suffering from lung or heart disease.
These workers will advise families to:
- Do not go out on days with bad AQI.
- Maintain proper ventilation of air in the house,
- And use clean cooking fuel.
Strictness on dust and construction sites
The Center has asked all the states to take strict steps for dust control at construction sites. Now sprinkling of water, covering of materials, and masks and health checkup for workers will be mandatory at every site. Construction companies have been instructed to maintain records of respiratory health monitoring of workers and take measures to avoid prolonged exposure.
Special guidelines for schools – If AQI is bad then online classes
- Schools up to Class 5 have been advised to stop offline classes and start online classes when the air quality is “poor” (AQI Poor) or above.
- Along with this, schools have been asked to monitor AQI daily and stop outdoor activities of children immediately.
Is ‘Health Emergency’ increasing in India?
According to the Union Health Ministry, there has been a 28% increase in cases of respiratory and heart diseases in the last one year. The report says that air pollution is harming not only the lungs but also the heart, brain and nervous system. Long-term exposure to pollution can cause lung cancer, stroke and heart diseases.