'Delhi Turns Into Gas Chamber': Kejriwal Distributes Masks To Students As AQI Breaches Emergency Levels

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal distributed anti-pollution masks to school students as the Air Quality Index breached the emergency levels on Friday. Kejriwal took to Twitter and shared the photos of the event. “Delhi has turned into a gas chamber due to smoke from crop burning in neighbouring states It is very imp that we protect ourselves from this toxic air. Through pvt & govt schools, we have started distributing 50 lakh masks today I urge all Delhiites to use them whenever needed,” Kejriwal said on micro-blogging site.

#BREAKING | 'Delhi turns into gas chamber': Arvind Kejriwal distributes anti-pollution masks to students as AQI breaches emergency levels

📸: Twitter/ @ArvindKejriwal

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The AQI was registered at scary 491 in Anand Vihar area. Even at 8 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) value was hovering at 459 at 8 am on Friday after pollution levels breached the ‘severe+’ zone late on Thursday night. ITO was no different with AQI at 477. AQI in Lodhi Road area was at 461 at 10 am. In neighbouring Ghaziabad, there was no let-up from the smog. In Indirapuram, the AQI was at 494. AQI at Vasundhara shot at dangerous 497. The air quantity index takes into account five chief pollutants including PM10 and PM2.5. An AQI between 401-500 is considered 'severe' and anything beyond 500 is 'severe-plus emergency'. 

As the national capital continued to reel under heavy pollution for the third consecutive day, triggering health concerns among residents, the demand for air purifiers has shot up in the market, according to sellers. Delhi's air quality remained 'severe' on Thursday, and doctors are advising people to stay indoors as much as possible, or take precaution when stepping outdoors. Dr Shweta Bansal, Consultant, Critical Care & Pulmonology, Vimhans Nayati Super Specialty Hospital, said air purifiers can be recommended for people having cardiac and respiratory problems. "Hepa filters are recommended preferably along with carbon filters," she said. Sales executives at a Eureka Forbes outlet in Patel Nagar said the demand for air purifiers has increased by up to 80-100 units per day after Diwali. Manoj Kumar, a sales executive at another store of the company in Chaudhary Fateh Singh Marg, Timarpur, said 4S purifier is selling the most at the outlet.