Ailments hit Mumbai earlier than winter

The winter is yet to set in but Mumbaikars are already feeling the pinch with city doctors seeing a rise in upper respiratory, chest infections and asthma problems. While the fluctuating temperature is seen as one reason behind this, data available with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) shows high levels of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), and this is quoted as another contributing factor.

In the last 10 days, the MPCB data shows that the RSPM levels have been twice the acceptable maximum or close to it. According to MPCB, the air pollution monitoring unit at Bandra recorded the highest RSPM level of 215 and 224 micrograms per cubic metre on November 28 and November 29 respectively. The permissible limit is 100. MPCB officials say anything above 100 micrograms of SPM in 1 cubic metre of air is bad for health. While the RSPM levels have been the same for Worli, the condition has been slightly better in Sion where the highest recorded RSPM at 152 on November 30.

According to doctors, the fall out of temperature fluctuation and high RSPM levels has led to patients coming with symptoms like dry cough, running nose, low grade fever and breathlessness and is affecting people across all age groups.

Explaining why the drop in temperature and pollution aggravates respiratory disorder, health experts say that the drop in night temperature in the month of December, January and February creates a blanket of cold air over the city which prevents pollutants from factory chimneys, vehicular emission and incineration of garbage from rising up and dispersing.
"In a polluted city like Mumbai, we see smog instead of fog in winter. Smog can cause or aggravate health problems such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems as well as eye irritation and reduced resistance to colds and lung infections," said Dr Pratit Samdhani, physician at Breach Candy Hospital.

Weather bureau records show that Mumbai witnesses 60 to 70 hazy days between November to February.

Doctors say that even a normal person tends to fall ill at this time, but with vulnerable people like asthmatics, the incidence of illness is even higher. "Normally, with rainfall, dust settles down, it is not flying in the air and in summers the pollutants goes up in the air. But in winter, with the combination of dry, cool weather and the inversion process, pollutants tend to stay at face levels or higher," Dr Jalil Parker, chest physician at Lilavati Hospital.

Children, senior citizens and people with co-morbid factors like diabetes, hypertension, suppressant should be more careful during this period as they are more vulnerable to infections.

"The winter is setting in. The mornings are quiet cold. There is fluctuation in the temperature. And all this is perfect weather for virus and bacteria to grow. Taking precaution is the only way to keep the upper respiratory tract problem at bay," said Dr Jaising Phadtare, chest physician at Shushrusha Hospital.