Excerpt: "Air pollution is highest on the roads and their vicinity. Traffic police personnel and vendors are exposed most to the danger..."
Forwarded by: Mike Neuman -------------------------------------------------------------------- Air Pollution Poses Cancer Threat To Delhiites By Chetan Chauhan The results of a study on the impact of air pollution on Delhiites are frightening, to say the least. The most scary bit is that 26 per cent of Delhi's citizens have undergone chromosomal changes that are a precursor to cancer. The study, commissioned by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), attributes these chromosomal changes to air pollution. People were asked to complete a questionnaire and clinical examination was done on over 5,000 people for 19 health parameters. Thus was revealed the high micronucleus count in large number of the sample size. Dr IC Verma of Ganga Ram Hospital said: "Chromosomal damage on the blood cells can lead to cancer. I can't comment further as I don't know on what basis the institute has reached the conclusion and how." The CPCB officials, however, say that the damage can be reversed if detected at an early stage. The changes observed are more in people belonging to the lower strata of the society as well as among traffic police personnel and street vendors. "Air pollution is highest on the roads and their vicinity. Traffic police personnel and vendors are exposed most to the danger. The findings are initial. We are waiting for the final report before preparing an action plan to combat the new problem", said Dr RC Trivedi of the CPCB. The final re port is expected by next May. The study done by Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, for over a year in 2004-05 also says that over 77 per cent of Delhiites suffer from one form of respiratory disease or other as compared to 62 per cent in Uttaranchal (the base level taken for the study). About 45-50 per cent of the illness is because of high Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) level in the city. And women have been hit more than men, the study says. Despite introduction of CNG in public transport, RSPM level in the city is still highest in the country. Take a deep breath air pollution is causing respiratory problems, some serious in nature, among people in the national capital 26% have suffered chromosomal change 77% have some kind of respiratory disease 3.2% have symptoms of bronchial asthma 37% suffer from headache and irritation 51.3% of 2,446 adults tested had functional lung impairment 37.6% have hypertension 250unit gram/cubic metre is the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter level, highest in the country. Source: Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 22 December 2005 _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
