Six public hospitals in Delhi recorded more than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illness between 2022 and 2024, the federal government said, as the Indian capital grapples with rising pollution levels.

The government told parliament that more than 30,000 people with respiratory illnesses had to be hospitalized in the past three years.

Toxic air is a recurring problem in Delhi and its suburbs, especially during winters.

For weeks, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) – which measures different types of pollutants, including PM2.5, a type of fine particulate matter that clogs the lungs – has been more than 20 times the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.

There is no single reason behind the problem, but is caused by multiple factors including industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, falling temperatures, low wind speeds and seasonal burning of crop residues from neighboring states.

Delhi’s six major hospitals recorded 67,054 acute respiratory cases in 2022, 69,293 in 2023 and 68,411 in 2024.

“Analysis shows that increased pollution levels are associated with an increase in the number of patients visiting emergency departments. However, the study design cannot confirm that this association is causal,” the government told parliament.

Delhi’s average air quality index has crossed the “severe” 400 mark several times over the past decade, especially during winter, with levels that can harm even healthy people and pose serious risks to those with existing medical conditions.

Delhi’s average AQI was around 380 on Wednesday morning, according to data from the government-backed Safar app.

The BBC reported last week how many Hospitals in Delhi and its suburbs see huge influx of children People who are sick due to toxic air.

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear a petition on Wednesday calling for urgent measures to curb harmful air pollution.

India’s Supreme Court has also raised concerns over air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas over the past few years.

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