Air quality

Delhi records season's worst air quality ahead of Diwali (The Tribune:20181106)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/new-hope-for-spinal-cord-injury-patients/679104.html

Delhi recorded its worst air quality of the season on Monday, with the pollution levels inchingtowards “severe-plus emergency” category due to a change in wind direction and rampantstubble burning in neighbouring states.

The PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) and PM10concentrations touched 365 and 503, respectively, according to Central Pollution ControlBoard (CPCB) data.

PM2.5 levels above 300 and PM10 levels above 430 are considered “severe-plus emergency”category.

In NCR, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida recorded “severe” pollution levels,while Gurgaon recorded “very poor” air quality, CPCB data showed.

Officials attributed the sudden deterioration to a change in wind direction, which is nowblowing from the northwestern region towards Delhi and bringing dust and smoke from stubbleburning in neighbouring states with it.

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan warned of legal action against those violatingpollution regulations.

DAILY NEWS BULLETINLEADING HEALTH, POPULATION AND FAMILY WELFARE STORIES OF THE Day

Tuesday 20181106

Spinal-cord injury

New hope for spinal-cord injury patients (The Tribune: 20181106)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/new-hope-for-spinal-cord-injury-patients/679104.html

Researchers in Hyderabad are developing a new strategy for the treatment of spinal cord injury(SCI) for which currently there is no satisfactory cure.

Spinal cord is a bundle of nerves running down the middle of one's back that carries signalsback and forth between the body and the brain.

SCI, which disrupts the signals causing temporary or permanent changes in its function, is amedical emergency. Its treatment requires restoration of structural and functional aspect ofdamaged neurological tissues in the spinal cord.

Recent developments have showed that transplantation of "human neural precursor cells" hasthe potential for reconstruction of the neural network at the site of damage in patients sufferingfrom SCI.

However, to provide better treatment, the grafted precursor cells must survive long enough anddifferentiate into neuronal cells -- which are functional units of the nervous system.

This has remained a challenging task.

Now researchers at Deccan College of Medical Sciences (DCMC) and Dr Habeebullah LifeSciences -- both in Hyderabad -- report a strategy that is claimed to meet these objectives. Theyhave successfully evaluated their approach in an animal model.

Their study, reported in the journal "Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology", describesa translational approach to "bioengineer functional neurological constructs for the treatment ofSCI defects".

Explaining, Aleem Ahmed Khan, a scientist at DCMC and the paper's corresponding author,said their strategy, in short, involves growing nerve cells on biological constructs -- or scaffoldsthat act as a three-dimensional platform.

"On transplantation (into a patient), these constructs can function for long term and help toregenerate the nerves affected by (SCI)."

Being tissue specific, the biological construct is immunologically tolerable and is enriched withseveral crucial "neurotrophins" -- which are small proteins -- needed to regenerate the damagedneural networks at the damaged site of the spinal cord, Khan told IANS in an email.

"Developing such scaffolds which provide mechanical and biological support for long-termsurvival and function of neurological cells is highly desirable and can potentially change thetreatment strategies in SCI and other neuro-degenerative applications," he said.

"Construction of immunologically tolerable cell-laden scaffold is an interesting development,"Praveen Kumar Vemula, Research Investigator at the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and

Regenerative Medicine in Bengalur, told IANS. "This research has shown encouragingdirection, which needs to be evaluated further."

According to the researchers, applicability of the bio-engineered constructs was tested bytransplanting the constructs in Wister rats.

Khan said: "All the animals survived the entire duration of the study (14 days post-transplantation) which revealed that these constructs are immune-compatible." They concludethat the engineered neuronal constructs, being natural biological scaffolds, were well toleratedby the host and may serve "as one of the potential options" for regenerating the neuronalconnections damaged by SCI.

"Further preclinical testing and optimisation of this approach in animal models will likelyprovide a more authentic road map for approaches for its future clinical applicability," saystheir report.

Poverty

No respite from poverty for Muslims (The Tribune: 20181106)

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/no-respite-from-poverty-for-muslims/article25429598.ece

Government intervention is required to improve educational and economic indicators

The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) labour force survey reports that the economiccondition of Muslims does not show any signs of improvement despite India being the fastest-growing large economy. An analysis of the data on economic and educational indicators forvarious religious groups reveals that Muslims are facing a vicious circle of poverty.

Lowest education levels

The NSSO’s 68th round (2011-12) provides estimates of education levels and job marketindicators across major religious communities in India. The educational attainment of Muslimsis the least among all these communities. In urban areas, the number of male Muslimpostgraduates is as low as 15 per 1,000. This number is about four times lower than that ofother communities, including Hindus, Christians and Sikhs. The situation is similar for Muslimwomen. The number of male graduates among Muslims is 71 per 1,000, less than even half thenumber of graduates (per 1,000) in other communities. Similarly, the number of Muslimseducated up to the secondary and higher secondary levels is 162 and 90 per 1,000 persons,respectively, again the least among all the communities.

Poor achievement at higher levels of education is partly a reflection of sinilarly low levels ofschool education or of illiteracy. Around half the Muslim population over 15 years is eitherilliterate or has only primary or middle school education. The number of illiterate people ishighest among Muslims (190 per 1,000), followed by Hindus (84), Sikhs (79) and Christians(57). The number of persons (over 15 years) who have obtained just primary or middle schooleducation among Muslims is 257 and 198 (per 1,000 persons), respectively. Thus, as compared

to other communities, the distribution of the Muslim population is least at the higher levels ofeducation and highest at the lower levels of education.

Likewise, the current attendance rate among Muslims is least across all age groups. The numberof Muslim males of 5-14 years in urban areas attending educational institutions is 869 per 1,000persons, which is the least among all religious groups. It is higher among Christians (981),followed by Sikhs (971), though it is lower among Hindus (955), possibly because ScheduledCastes and Scheduled Tribes have lower rates. The gaps in the current attendance rates ofMuslims and those of other religious groups are increasingly pronounced at higher age groups.

That Muslims have the lowest attendance rates and educational attainment, especially in highereducation, can be explained by their income level and higher costs for post-secondaryeducation. According to the NSSO survey, the average per capita consumption expenditure(used as an indicator of income) among Muslims is just ₹32.66 per day, which is the least among all religious groups. It is highest among Sikhs (₹55.30), followed by Christians (₹51.43) and Hindus (₹37.50). As per the 71st NSSO survey on education (2014), the average course fee for college degrees in technical courses in government and private unaided institutions was₹25,783 and ₹64,442, respectively. That is too high for Muslims to afford, given their per capita income.

Although children up to age 14 have a right to free and compulsory education, the averagecourse fee per student for upper primary education is still ₹508 for the academic session. While the course fee is the same for all religious groups, its burden is highest among Muslims due totheir per capita income. The course fee for upper primary education accounts for 8.5% of theyearly per capita spending for Muslims, followed by Hindus (7.4%), Christians (5.4%) andSikhs (5.03%). The higher burden of the cost of education among Muslims, relative to theirincomes, could be one of the factors responsible for their lowest attendance rates.

The high level of illiteracy among Muslims and the low levels of general education ensure thatthey are trapped in a vicious circle of poverty. The lack of higher education is adverselyaffecting their job indicators. The dynamics of labour markets are largely a function of thedegrees of knowledge and skills. For example, the labour force participation rate (LFPR),defined as the number of persons either employed or seeking jobs, is significantly linked to thedesire for work, which in turn is dependent upon educational attainment. Similarly, the qualityof employment is strongly linked to levels of education and skills. Therefore, if a communityis lagging in education, it risks being trapped in a vicious circle of poverty. This is a situationthat is difficult to break out of without government intervention.

The signs of Indian Muslims being caught in a vicious circle of poverty are visible in terms oftheir low consumption expenditure and poor job market indicators, including LFPR,employment status, and worker population ratio. The NSSO data show that LFPR amongMuslims is 342 and 337 (per 1,000) in urban and rural areas, respectively, the least among allthe religious communities. This implies that only 342 persons per 1,000 persons of workingage among Muslims in urban areas are employed or available for work. Similarly, the LFPRamong Muslim women is worse than that among women of other communities. Given thatMuslims live predominantly in urban areas (unlike other poorer communities like SCs/STs),where work outside the home could be available, this low LFPR is likely explained by theirlow levels of education.

Likewise, the worker population ratio (WPR), defined as the number of persons employed per1,000 persons, is lowest among Muslims, both in rural and urban areas. Further, among urbanmales, the number of Muslims employed in regular jobs is only 288 per 1,000 employedpersons, while the corresponding figure among urban Muslim females is merely 249, which isthe lowest among all other communities. The number of regular employees per 1,000 employedpersons is higher among Christians (494 among urban males and 647 among urban females),followed by Hindus (463 and 439), and Sikhs (418 and 482). Similarly, the proportion ofhouseholds with their major source of income from regular salaried jobs is the lowest amongMuslims.

What could be done

The Central and State governments could take concerted steps to help Indian Muslims escapethis vicious circle of poverty. One way to improve their situation is to provide a specialincentive and subsidy system for higher education. That will ensure that schoolgoing studentscontinue to higher levels of schooling and higher education. Similarly, students who don’t wishto continue in general academic education must have access to vocational education from Class9 onwards.

Irfan Ahmad Sofi is Assistant Professor of Economics, BGSB University, Rajouri(irfan.sofi@bgsbu.ac.in). Santosh Mehrotra is Professor and Chairperson, Centre for Labour,JNU (santoshmeh@gmail.com)

Respiratory diseases

Hospitals say 20% rise in patients with respiratory diseases (The IndianExpress: 20181106)

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/hospitals-say-20-rise-in-patients-with-respiratory-diseases-5435411/

Private as well as government hospitals saw a substantial rise, around 20 per cent, in the numberof patients complaining of respiratory issues.

People are also complaining about cardiac issues and viral fever. (Express photo)

As air quality entered the ‘severe’ category on Monday, hospitals in the capital witnessed abusy day with people complaining of respiratory tract infections and asthmatic attacks queuingup outside the departments.

Private as well as government hospitals saw a substantial rise, around 20 per cent, in the numberof patients complaining of respiratory issues. Cases of viral infection, cough, sneezing,respiratory tract infection and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have gone upin the last two days, doctors said.

“The number of patients has just doubled as compared to last week. It was an exceptional risein the number of people who faced asthmatic attacks. The cases have increased in the last threedays,” said Dr Karan Madaan, associate professor, department of pulmonary medicine, AIIMS.

Read | Change in winds takes Delhi’s air quality from moderate to severe; situation couldimprove today

“We saw around 300 patients in our OPD with aggravated asthma. The routine medicines havestopped working and we have no other option left than suggesting more inhalers and medicinesto these people. Even the medical shops are running short of inhalers and nebulizers. Patientshave to run from one shop to another to get their medicines,” said Dr Bobby Bhalotra, vice-chairman, department of chest medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

People are also complaining about cardiac issues and viral fever. “I just stepped out for fiveminutes and came back with an acute headache. The weather was extremely bad this morning.I kept sneezing and shivering,” said Sanket Singh, a resident of Lajpat Nagar.

Also Read | In two days, Delhi’s air can affect lungs, say doctors

“There is already a shortage of inhalers and nebulizers in the market. The sale of inhalers hasgone up with the severity of attacks. The amount of exposure to pollution is huge,” said DrPrashant Saxena, HOD, pulmonology and sleep medicine, Max Smart Super Specialityhospital, Saket. Smog is extremely hazardous for those with a history of respiratory illness.Children and heart patients, in particular, have been advised to take special care.

inister Imran Khan's speech with wrong dateline

Air pollution

Air pollution affects young lungs more, say doctors (Hindustan Times:20181106)

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

NEW DELHI: Not just adults, even children have been landing up at city’s hospitals and clinicswith symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, runny nose, and chest congestion astheir young lungs cannot cope with the levels of rising air pollution.

Doctors say children are more vulnerable as they breathe in twice the rate than adults, whichmakes them inhale larger amounts of harmful pollutants. Children under eight, in particular,sustain more damage as their lungs are developing.

Air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM 2.5 and 10), sulphur and nitrogen oxides triggerallergies, cough and lung infections, high blood pressure, asthma, anxiety, tiredness and evendiabetes, heart disease and irreversible lung damage over prolonged heavy exposure.

“A child also gets exposed to all the component of Air Quality Index and not just the particulatematter, and each of these components have been studied individually by scientists and areknown to cause serious harm. So, imagine what will happen to a child’s lungs when all thesepollutants are collectively inhaled in heavy measures,” says Dr Krishan Chugh, paediatricpulmonologist, Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram.

What makes the condition worse is high moisture levels in the air combined with drop intemperature around this time of the year that makes it conducive for viruses and bacteria tothrive in the atmosphere.

Children also tend to catch infection quickly this time of the year as the air is loaded withdisease-causing microbes, and because of high pollutants these microbes are suspended in theair longer and at lower levels.

Precautions are the same for children as for adults that they should avoid areas where traffic isheavy as far as possible, and avoid venturing out during mornings and evenings when pollutionlevels are high.

If travelling in a car with a child, keep the windows rolled up and fan of the car’s air-conditioneron to avoid outside air comingin.

“It is not practical to ask kids to stay indoors but what we can do is ask them to avoid outdooractivities during early mornings and evenings,” Dr JS Bhasin, head of paediatric department,BLK Super Speciality Hospital. Allow them to go out to play only when the sun is out. Doctorsdon’t recommend masks for kids. “Masks are not practical for children as they won’t keep iton. Also, it’s difficult for children to breathe through a respirator as it might choke them,” saidDr Bhasin.

Pollution:

Even half of crackers burnt in 2017 may cause severe pollution: Safar(Hindustan Times: 20181106)

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

could be engulfed by a thick layer of smoke and pollution could breach the severe level ifcitizens burn even 50% of the crackers that were burnt last year, the Union government’spollution forecasting agency warned on Monday.

What is worse is that such severe pollution levels would linger over the next two days at least,it said.

“Even if 50% of the total load of toxic firecrackers as compared to Diwali 2017 is added, theprevailing weather conditions will aggravate the smoke and cause persistent ‘severe’ airpollution for at least two days after Diwali,” said a statement issued by Safar, the pollutionforecasting wing of Union earth sciences ministry.

The Supreme Court had banned the sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. The apex courthad ordered that only green crackers would be allowed in the NCR. No such green crackersare, however, available in the market till date.

Delhi witnessed its worst smog in 17 years in the post-Diwali period in 2016.

In 2017, even though there was a ban on sale of crackers and less crackers were bursted, Delhiwitnessed a very poor air quality the following day.

“Delhi would witness highest pollution levels on intervening night of November 7 (Diwali)and November 8 (post-Diwali day) between 11am and 3am. The levels of particulate matterand toxic gases would shoot up if 50% of the crackers as compared to 2017 are bursted. Itwould improve only after November 10,” the Safar statement said.

Scientists of the forecasting agency said because of stubble burning and adverse windconditions the share of PM2.5 – ultrafine particles which are 30 times finer than a human hairand can reach your lungs – already increased by nearly 20% in Delhi’s air. If crackers arebursted the share of these more harmful particles could shoot up to 70% on the day after Diwali.

285 dengue cases

285 dengue cases reported in a week in November, 2nd highest this season(Hindustan Times: 20181106)

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

The numbers are currently high because cases from previous weeks are also getting officiallyreported now. Initial figures show that hospitals have already started seeing a decline and itshould reflect in the official figures in another two weeks.

MCD official

NEWDELHI: A total of 285 new cases of dengue were reported in the single week ending onNovember 3, civic authorities said on Monday. This was the second highest number of casesreported this season in Delhi, with the highest being 290 that was reported last week.

This takes the total number of dengue cases reported from Delhi to 1,595, according to theweekly report released by the municipal corporations of Delhi (MCD).

The city hospitals reported over 2,000 cases in people from neighbouring states that had cometo Delhi for treatment.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that causes fever, muscle pain, and, in severe cases,internal bleeding and death. Dengue cases start being reported in Delhi usually in July aftermonsoon showers. The disease peaks in October and goes down in November when thetemperature dips preventing transmission.

“The numbers are currently high because cases from previous weeks are also getting officiallyreported now. Initial figures show that hospitals have already started seeing a decline and itshould reflect in the official figures in another two weeks,” said an MCD official.

It is essential to record the number of cases in real-time as it helps the authorities in predictingoutbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses and take breeding control measures.

However, every year there is delayed reporting and under-reporting.

The corporation’s reported Delhi’s first death die to dengue — a 12-year-old from Wazirabadwho died in Hindu Rao hospital — in mid-October, a month after the death occurred.

There are five other deaths that have to be analysed by the death review committee, officialssaid. The death review committee is responsible for going over all hospital records to confirmthe dengue as the cause of death and not other simultaneous co-morbid conditions.

A total of 11 cases of malaria were also reported by the corporations in the weekly report,taking the total number of cases to 438 in Delhi. Four cases of chikungunya were also reportedduring the same time, taking the total to 133.

Smoking (Navbharat Times: 20181106)

http://epaper.navbharattimes.com/details/618-65590-1.html

Smoking (Navbharat Times: 20181106)

http://epaper.navbharattimes.com/details/618-63429-1.html

Air Quality (Hindustan: 20181106)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/imageview_305694_63842990_4_1_06-11-2018_i_3.pagezoomsinwindows.php

Pollution (Hindustan: 20181106)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/imageview_305695_63843210_4_1_06-11-

2018_i_4.pagezoomsinwindows.php

Pollution (Hindustan: 20181106)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/imageview_305705_64164992_4_1_06-11-

2018_i_14.pagezoomsinwindows.php