As Delhi’s air quality dropped to the “severe” category on November 2, former AIIMS pulmonologist Dr. Gopi Chand Khilnani issued a strong warning to residents, urging those who can afford it to temporarily leave the city for six to eight weeks. He particularly advised the elderly and people suffering from chronic lung or heart diseases to relocate until pollution levels improve.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr. Khilnani said the worsening pollution has led to a rise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer cases among adults. “The incidence of lung cancer is rising among younger patients too,” he said. “In the long term, air pollution affects the lungs in totality – lung capacity and immunity both go down.”
The doctor warned that the effects of air pollution are not limited to the lungs. “It also damages the heart, brain, kidneys, intestines, and the immune system,” he said. “There is an increased incidence of heart attacks and brain attacks, and more cases of hypertension and diabetes. Even rheumatological diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can become more severe.”
He further said that exposure to toxic air can worsen pneumonia, both viral and bacterial, leading to higher death rates.
On whether air purifiers are helpful, Dr. Khilnani explained that they work best in closed rooms with minimal door openings. “Good air purifiers have filters and adsorbents to trap gases, making the air cleaner. But their effect is lost if the room is frequently opened,” he said.
As the pollution crisis worsens after Diwali, he advised residents to protect themselves as much as possible. “Everybody cannot afford to leave Delhi, because it’s not simple,” he said. “But those who have chronic lung or heart disease, or are on oxygen, and can travel to less polluted places, I very safely advise them to leave Delhi for 6–8 weeks.”
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) on November 1 was 303, placing it in the “very poor” category, compared to 218 the previous day. An AQI above 400 is considered “severe,” posing serious health risks, especially to vulnerable groups.
