The high levels of air pollution in Delhi have led the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to call for the immediate cancellation of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. The marathon was scheduled for 7 am on 19 November.
The IMA put out a joint statement by Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, National President IMA and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), and Dr RN Tandon, Honorary Secretary General IMA, citing the poor quality in the national capital, which would have an adverse effect on everybody’s health, including healthy people.
The doctors further pointed out that poor air quality can aggravate asthma and other respiratory and heart related diseases.
In the last couple of days, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has ranged from “very unhealthy” to “hazardous”. The levels have crossed the 300 ‘danger’ mark in several parts of the city.
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