July 24, 2025: Air pollution increases patient load

Can pollution levels affect patient load at hospitals? A study conducted at AIIMS found that exposure to nitrogen dioxide, even for a short duration, leads to a 53 percent increase in emergency room visits. An increase in the level of PM2.5 resulted in a 19.5 percent spike in patient load. 

In this episode of Aaj Ka AQI, we visited Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, to discuss how patient overload can be a challenge to already overburdened and understaffed hospitals. The AQI recorded at the nearest air quality monitoring station at Sri Aurobindo Marg was 61, which fell in the satisfactory category.  

But good air is a luxury for Delhi, which experiences severe pollution around the year. Bad air causes several health complications, including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and other diseases.  

What is the correlation between air pollution and patient load?

Watch to find out. 

This show is part of a collaborative campaign to tackle air pollution. Here’s how you can join the Fight To Breathe. Click here to power this campaign.