Indian Medical Association’s Coimbatore Branch cautioned the public not to burn tyres and other inorganic materials while celebrating Bhogi because of the threat they pose more to society this year.
In a press conference held at the association’s premises on Monday, Dr.Rajesh Babu, President, IMA-Coimbatore conveyed that when tyres, plastic materials and rubber tubes are burned, it could give rise to increase in the toxic substance like cyanide, styrene, Sulphur dioxide etc which will worsen the impact of air pollution on people. It was shared that there is high chance for air pollution to affect even the fetus in the mother’s womb and impact its growth.
Since we are living amidst the pandemic period, people suffering from lung and heart issues many also get much affected by the air pollution that usually increases post a special occasion like Diwali and Bhogi.
Dr.Priya Kubendiran said “air pollution creates impact that is equal to tobacco smokes.” Air that is found to be carrying higher level of toxic substances pose a serious threat to patients with pre-existing heart issues. She cautioned that if the smoke or poor air continues to enter their blood vessels, it will affect the heart’s functioning. She suggested them to exposure to such smoke-prominent areas.
Ramesh, AE, Pollution Control Board, Coimbatore South said that people in the olden days would burn old stuffs that are made of organic materials but at present, people burn so many inorganic materials that gives rise to the toxicity in the air.
However, in the last two years, there has been a decrease in air pollution when it was checked before and after Diwali and Bhogi because the public are aware about the hazards posed by air pollution. He said that the message of PCB and IMA should reach more number of people in the coming days, and requested the public to celebrate a smokeless Bhogi.