“Vulnerable people should seek medical help when they first develop worsening of their illness or feel discomfort and symptoms due to poor air quality,” the letter stated. The letter additionally requested states to extend consciousness to curb stubble and waste burning, keep away from firecrackers throughout festivities, and improve use of public transport as a substitute of non-public automobiles.

Last month, Union Health Secretary Sudhanshu Pant had written to all states urging them to develop state and city-level motion plans for local weather change and to broaden a community of sentinel hospitals that may hold observe of pollution-related circumstances all year long. An analogous sentinel community exists for sicknesses corresponding to flu and Covid.

The newest advisory by the well being ministry focuses on well being of school-going youngsters, suggesting measures corresponding to youngsters inspired to make use of college buses, car-pooling, and cleaner CNG and electrical automobiles to succeed in college. It additionally suggests moist mopping of faculty flooring earlier than youngsters are available and use of marker pens as a substitute of chalk to scale back mud air pollution.

It suggests making certain correct air flow on good days however protecting home windows closed when the air high quality index ranges are poor. The steering additionally suggests avoiding any bodily exercise corresponding to working, jogging or enjoying open air and suggests suspending college features and occasions when the air pollution ranges are excessive.