Srinagar Air Pollution Poses Serious Health Risk, Experts Warn
Srinagar, Dec 13: Rising air pollution in Srinagar has emerged as a major public health concern, with experts warning that prolonged exposure to the city’s polluted air may cause damage comparable to smoking several cigarettes daily.
Independent weather expert Faizan Arif said that breathing Srinagar’s air for 24 hours under current pollution levels is roughly equivalent to smoking three to four cigarettes. “This exposure accumulates rapidly—amounting to nearly 25 cigarettes a week and over 100 in a month, even for non-smokers,” he said, calling the situation alarming.
According to air quality data, Srinagar’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained in the ‘poor’ category, recently touching 180, with fine particulate matter rising sharply. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose serious health risks.
Arif clarified that the comparison is based on globally accepted scientific methods used to explain pollution exposure. “People are not literally smoking, but prolonged exposure can cause similar harm to the lungs and heart,” he said, adding that the effects of high-pollution days can be long-lasting.
Medical experts echoed the concern. Dr Irfan Ahmad, a senior physician at a government hospital, said repeated exposure to polluted air increases the risk of respiratory and heart diseases, even among non-smokers. He advised residents to avoid outdoor exercise during poor air quality, wear masks, and keep indoor environments clean. People with asthma, heart ailments, or allergies were urged to take extra precautions.
Residents across the city reported worsening conditions. Many complained of reduced visibility, eye and throat irritation, and difficulty breathing. A fruit vendor in Lal Chowk noted that pollution is no longer limited to peak winter, with haze persisting for days.
Meanwhile, sub-zero temperatures and dense fog continued across parts of the Kashmir Valley, further affecting visibility and early morning traffic.
