Latest news with #SumaiyaAnsari
Yomiuri Shimbun
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Indians Battle Respiratory Issues in World's Most Polluted Town
Reuters Garbage is burnt at a dump alongside a road. Photos were taken in the town of Byrnihat, India, on March 28 and 29. BYRNIHAT, India (Reuters) — Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, a resident of India's Byrnihat town, which is ranked the world's most polluted metropolitan area by Swiss Group IQAir, was battling breathing problems for several days before she was hospitalized in March and given oxygen support. She is among many residents of the industrial town on the border of the northeastern Assam and Meghalaya states — otherwise known for their lush, natural beauty — afflicted by illnesses that doctors say are likely linked to high exposure to pollution. Byrnihat's annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir, over 25 times the level recommended by the WHO. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, causing deadly diseases and cardiac problems. 'It was very scary, she was breathing like a fish,' said Abdul Halim, Ansari's father, who brought her home from the hospital after two days. According to government data, the number of respiratory infection cases in the region rose to 3,681 in 2024 from 2,082 in 2022. 'Ninety percent of the patients we see daily come either with a cough or other respiratory issues,' said Dr. J Marak of Byrnihat Primary Healthcare Centre. Reuters Smoke is released from a chimney of a factory. Residents say the toxic air also causes skin rashes and eye irritation, damages crops and restricts routine tasks like drying laundry outdoors. 'Everything is covered with dust or soot,' said farmer Dildar Hussain. Critics say Byrnihat's situation reflects a broader trend of pollution plaguing not just India's cities, including the capital Delhi, but also its smaller towns as breakneck industrialization erodes environmental safeguards. Unlike other parts of the country that face pollution every winter, however, Byrnihat's air quality remains poor through the year, government data indicates. Home to about 80 industries — many of them highly polluting — experts say the problem is exacerbated in the town by other factors like emissions from heavy vehicles, and its 'bowl-shaped topography.' Reuters A cabbage leaf destroyed by soot and dust emitted from factories 'Sandwiched between the hilly terrain of Meghalaya and the plains of Assam, there is no room for pollutants to disperse,' said Arup Kumar Misra, chairman of Assam's pollution control board. The town's location has also made a solution tougher, with the states shifting blame to each other, said a Meghalaya government official who did not want to be named. Since the release of IQAir's report in March, however, Assam and Meghalaya have agreed to form a joint committee and work together to combat Byrnihat's pollution.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Indians battle respiratory issues, skin rashes in world's most polluted town
Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, a resident of India's Byrnihat town, ranked the world's most polluted metropolitan area by Swiss Group IQAir, was battling breathing problems for several days before she was hospitalised in March and given oxygen support. She is among many residents of the industrial town on the border of the northeastern Assam and Meghalaya states - otherwise known for their lush, natural beauty - inflicted by illnesses that doctors say are likely linked to high exposure to pollution. Byrnihat's annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir, over 25-times the level recommended by the WHO. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, causing deadly diseases and cardiac problems. 'It was very scary, she was breathing like a fish,' said Abdul Halim, Ansari's father, who brought her home from hospital after two days. According to government data, the number of respiratory infection cases in the region rose to 3,681 in 2024 from 2,082 in 2022. 'Ninety percent of the patients we see daily come either with a cough or other respiratory issues,' said Dr. J Marak of Byrnihat Primary Healthcare Centre. Residents say the toxic air also causes skin rashes and eye irritation, damages crops, and restricts routine tasks like drying laundry outdoors. 'Everything is covered with dust or soot,' said farmer Dildar Hussain. ritics say Byrnihat's situation reflects a broader trend of pollution plaguing not just India's cities, including the capital Delhi, but also its smaller towns as breakneck industrialisation erodes environmental safeguards. Unlike other parts of the country that face pollution every winter, however, Byrnihat's air quality remains poor through the year, government data indicates. Home to about 80 industries - many of them highly polluting - experts say the problem is exacerbated in the town by other factors like emissions from heavy vehicles, and its 'bowl-shaped topography'. 'Sandwiched between the hilly terrain of Meghalaya and the plains of Assam, there is no room for pollutants to disperse,' said Arup Kumar Misra, chairman of Assam's pollution control board. The town's location has also made a solution tougher, with the states shifting blame to each other, said a Meghalaya government official who did not want to be named. Since the release of IQAir's report in March, however, Assam and Meghalaya have agreed to form a joint committee and work together to combat Byrnihat's pollution.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Byrnihat battles respiratory issues, skin rashes
1 2 Byrnihat: Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, a resident of Byrnihat town, which is ranked as the world's most polluted metropolitan area by Swiss Group IQAir, was battling breathing problems for several days before she was hospitalised in March and given oxygen support. She is among many residents of the industrial town on the border of Assam and Meghalaya — otherwise known for their lush, natural beauty — inflicted by illnesses that doctors say are likely linked to high exposure to pollution. Byrnihat's annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir, over 25 times the level recommended by WHO. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, causing deadly diseases and cardiac problems. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "It was very scary, she was breathing like a fish," said Abdul Halim, Ansari's father, who brought her home from hospital after two days. According to govt data, the number of respiratory infection cases in the region rose to 3,681 in 2024 from 2,082 in 2022. "Ninety percent of the patients we see daily come either with a cough or other respiratory issues," said Dr J Marak of Byrnihat Primary Healthcare Centre. Residents say the toxic air also causes skin rashes, eye irritation and other health problems, damages crops, and restricts routine tasks like drying laundry outdoors. "Everything is covered with dust or soot," said farmer Dildar Hussain. Unlike other parts of India that face pollution every winter, Byrnihat's air quality remains poor through the year, govt data indicates. Home to about 80 industries - many of them highly polluting - experts say the problem is exacerbated in the town by other factors like emissions from heavy vehicles, and its 'bowl-shaped topography'. "Sandwiched between the hilly terrain of Meghalaya and the plains of Assam, there is no room for pollutants to disperse," said Arup Kumar Misra, chairman of Assam's pollution control board. The town's location has also made a solution tougher, with the states shifting blame to each other, said a Meghalaya government official who did not want to be named. Since the release of IQAir's report in March, however, Assam and Meghalaya have agreed to form a joint committee and work together to combat Byrnihat's pollution. Reuters
India Today
21-04-2025
- Health
- India Today
Gasping for breath: Indians battle respiratory issues in world's most polluted city
Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, a resident of India's Byrnihat town, which is ranked the world's most polluted metropolitan area by Swiss Group IQAir, was battling breathing problems for several days before she was hospitalised in March and given oxygen is amongst many residents of the industrial town on the border of the northeastern Assam and Meghalaya states - otherwise known for their lush, natural beauty - inflicted by illnesses that doctors say are likely linked to high exposure to annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir, over 25 times the level recommended by the WHO. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, causing deadly diseases and cardiac problems."It was very scary, she was breathing like a fish," said Abdul Halim, Ansari's father, who brought her home from the hospital after two days. According to government data, the number of respiratory infection cases in the region rose to 3,681 in 2024 from 2,082 in 2022. Ibamilari Dkhar, 5, sits on her mother's lap as they wait for consultation inside a primary healthcare centre as acute respiratory infections surge in the town of Byrnihat. (Photo: Reuters) advertisement"Ninety percent of the patients we see daily come either with a cough or other respiratory issues," said Dr. J Marak of Byrnihat Primary Healthcare say the toxic air also causes skin rashes and eye irritation, damages crops, and restricts routine tasks like drying laundry outdoors."Everything is covered with dust or soot," said farmer Dildar say Byrnihat's situation reflects a broader trend of pollution plaguing not just India's cities, including the capital Delhi, but also its smaller towns as breakneck industrialisation erodes environmental other parts of the country that face pollution every winter, however, Byrnihat's air quality remains poor throughout the year, government data to about 80 industries - many of them highly polluting - experts say the problem is exacerbated in the town by other factors like emissions from heavy vehicles, and its "bowl-shaped topography"."Sandwiched between the hilly terrain of Meghalaya and the plains of Assam, there is no room for pollutants to disperse," said Arup Kumar Misra, chairman of Assam's pollution control town's location has also made the solution tougher, with the states shifting blame to each other, said a Meghalaya government official who did not want to be the release of IQAir's report in March, however, Assam and Meghalaya have agreed to form a joint committee and work together to combat Byrnihat's Watch
NDTV
21-04-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Indians Battle Respiratory Issues, Skin Rashes In World's Most Polluted Town
Byrnihat: Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, a resident of India's Byrnihat town, which is ranked the world's most polluted metropolitan area by Swiss Group IQAir, was battling breathing problems for several days before she was hospitalised in March and given oxygen support. She is among many residents of the industrial town on the border of the northeastern Assam and Meghalaya states - otherwise known for their lush, natural beauty - inflicted by illnesses that doctors say are likely linked to high exposure to pollution. Byrnihat's annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir, over 25 times the level recommended by the WHO. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, causing deadly diseases and cardiac problems. "It was very scary, she was breathing like a fish," said Abdul Halim, Ansari's father, who brought her home from hospital after two days. According to government data, the number of respiratory infection cases in the region rose to 3,681 in 2024 from 2,082 in 2022. "Ninety percent of the patients we see daily come either with a cough or other respiratory issues," said Dr. J Marak of Byrnihat Primary Healthcare Centre. Residents say the toxic air also causes skin rashes and eye irritation, damages crops, and restricts routine tasks like drying laundry outdoors. "Everything is covered with dust or soot," said farmer Dildar Hussain. Critics say Byrnihat's situation reflects a broader trend of pollution plaguing not just India's cities, including the capital Delhi, but also its smaller towns as breakneck industrialisation erodes environmental safeguards. Unlike other parts of the country that face pollution every winter, however, Byrnihat's air quality remains poor through the year, government data indicates. Home to about 80 industries - many of them highly polluting - experts say the problem is exacerbated in the town by other factors like emissions from heavy vehicles, and its "bowl-shaped topography". "Sandwiched between the hilly terrain of Meghalaya and the plains of Assam, there is no room for pollutants to disperse," said Arup Kumar Misra, chairman of Assam's pollution control board. The town's location has also made a solution tougher, with the states shifting blame to each other, said a Meghalaya government official who did not want to be named. Since the release of IQAir's report in March, however, Assam and Meghalaya have agreed to form a joint committee and work together to combat Byrnihat's pollution.
