A report titled ‘Death in every Breath’ released by the Lung Care Foundation revealed the presence of an alarming level of toxic heavy metals, including manganese, nickel, and lead, in Delhi and Gurugram samples of air taken in the months of November and December. The report analyzed seven samples of air from the two cities. “Manganese, lead, and nickel are neurotoxins that damage the brain. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead. Exposures to even low levels of lead early in life have been linked to effects on IQ, learning, memory, and behaviour. It is a matter of very serious concern that such high levels of these toxic metals are found in the air that our children breathe,” said Dr Arvind Kumar, Chest Surgeon and Founder, Lung Care Foundation. “There is an urgent need for the policymakers to bring the focus back on the people and the health problems they are reporting to understand the impact of air pollution and its severity. People are the best monitors and they have been reporting severe health impacts already,” added Dr Kumar. The Barium level in the sample a day before Diwali was 21.5 ?g/m3, on the day of Diwali the sample had Barium level of 5.8 ?g/m3, and a day after Diwali, the Barium level in the sample is 2.4 ?g/m3. “These levels are extremely high and unheard of. Typically, Barium levels are <0.05 ?g/m3.” Based on limited human and animal data, the respiratory tract is the most sensitive target following inhalation exposure. According to research, “Barium, typically as barium nitrate, imparts a yellow or “apple” green colour to fireworks; for brilliant green barium monochloride is used,” said Dr Mark Chernaik, Staff Scientist at Environment Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), US. “Given that Barium was found in samples around Diwali, it is quite likely that the fireworks caused this and Barium along with other chemicals contributed to high levels of PM2.5 on those days”, added Dr Chernaik. LCF has now asked the Central Pollution Control Board to initiate continuous monitoring of heavy metals in the dust.

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