New Delhi: Over 60% respondents from Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi reported pollution-induced respiratory issues, a survey by the Artha Centre for Rapid Insights (ACRI) has found.
The survey, conducted between November 11-13 last year, found that over 55% of surveyed households had at least one family member with cough or difficulty breathing due to air pollution in the two weeks preceding the survey.
The survey covered 8,698 households across Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Prevalence of respiratory illness due to air pollution.
Respiratory illness was most severe in the national capital, where 65% of households reported such health issues.
Prevalence of respiratory illness due to air pollution, by state.
Productivity losses
More than 65% of those affected by respiratory illness missed at least one day of work or school, in the two weeks preceding the survey. Nearly 40% of them missed more than three days of work.
Among respondents aged 18-30 years, more than 70% missed a day at work or school.
Days of work missed due to respiratory illness.
“Further, more than 60% of impacted respondents in all surveyed states have missed at least one workday in the past two weeks due to air quality-related health issues, indicating considerable productivity losses,” the ACRI report said.
Days of work missed due to respiratory illness, by state.
A gender-wise breakup of the data revealed that nearly 67% men missed work as compared to 63% women.
Days of work missed due to respiratory illness, by gender.
Coping mechanisms
Wearing masks emerged as the primary coping mechanism against air pollution, the study found.
Strategies to cope with air pollution.
Nearly 40% of those surveyed opted for marks, 17% opted to stay in-doors, 11% kept their doors and windows closed and 8% used air purifiers.
Nearly 24% of respondents admitted they had no strategy to deal with air pollution. “[This] highlights the disproportionate burden on low-income households who lack access to air purifiers or private transportation. While government interventions such as remote work policies and school closures help mitigate exposure, these measures primarily benefit urban and wealthier populations,” the study said.
Gender-wise breakup revealed that more men had access to masks and air purifiers, while more women stayed indoors as a coping mechanism than men.
Strategies to cope with air pollution, by gender.
Delhi had the highest number of people who chose to wear masks, with 50% respondents opting for it, while those from Haryana and Madhya Pradesh led with air purifiers at nearly 11%.
Strategies to cope with air pollution, by state.
