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Smog

Smog is a term that becomes the buzzword in North India during winters. Deteriorating air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region during winters is directly attributed to smog. Coined by combining smoke and fog, smog is an air pollutant with extremely harmful effect on all forms of life. Smog not only has smoke, fog, dust, Particulate Matters (PM) 10 and 2.5 but also includes other pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ozone, industrial emissions, vehicular emissions, forest and agricultural fires etc. PM 10 and PM 2.5 are extremely hazardous and they can easily enter the human lung leading to severe respiratory complications.

While there are several reasons for the formation of smog, the one in North India during winter is primarily caused by farmers in Haryana an Punjab burning stubble in their fields. It is usually compounded by vehicular and industrial emissions along with smoke and pollutants generated by bursting of crackers during Diwali. Smog's formation is depended on several factors including temperature, sunshine and wind condition.

Dr. Henry Antoine Des Voeux is often credited with inventing the term smog in his 1905 paper, "Fog and Smoke" which he had prepared for a meeting of the Public Health Congress. But a Los Angeles Times article published in January 19, 1893 claimed that the term was first used by "a witty English writer."

Those suffering from asthma, bronchitis, other respiratory ailments and cardiac problems are the worst affected by smog with infants, children and old people being in the highest risk category. The common issues that people face during smog are eye and throat irritation, wheezing, coughing, dryness of protective membranes of your nose and throat along with headaches. Prolonged exposure to smog also leads to inflamed lungs which can further result in blood clots and heart attack or stroke. Smog is one of the reasons behind lung cancer too and also has an adverse effect on our body's resistance leading to people falling ill frequently. Smog also blocks the sun resulting decreased UV radiation which in turn affects our body's ability to synthesise Vitamin D. Low-visibility in smog also leads to road accidents.

Extra care must be taken to protect the eyes and washing them clean at a regular interval is advised. Experts often compare the smog situation in the NCR to a ‘gas chamber’ and warn people from venturing out. Schools are routinely closed in the region to protect children from smog's harmful effects. It also hits the economy as flights, trains and road traffic are affected.

Delhi Metro Presses 14 Anti-Smog Guns Into Service at Project Sites to Curb Air Pollution, to Install More
India.com News Desk | December 5, 2021 4:08 PM IST
It should be noted that the Delhi Government in November imposed a ban on construction and
Delhi Metro Presses 14 Anti-Smog Guns Into Service at Project Sites to Curb Air Pollution, to Install More
indiacom
2021-12-05T05:08:13+00:00
2021-12-05T05:11:44+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhi School Reopening: Physical Classes To Remain Shut Till Further Orders Due To Pollution, Directorate of Education Makes Big Announcement
India.com Education Desk | November 21, 2021 3:23 PM IST
Delhi School Reopening News: Last week, the Delhi government had issued a similar order and had
Delhi School Reopening: Physical Classes To Remain Shut Till Further Orders Due To Pollution, Directorate of
indiacom
2021-11-21T04:23:11+00:00
2021-11-21T04:33:21+00:00
Smog
India.com
Trucks Banned From Entering Delhi Till November 21. Details Here
PTI | November 18, 2021 4:12 PM IST
Air Pollution: The Delhi Traffic Police has also intensified crackdown against those flouting
Trucks Banned From Entering Delhi Till November 21. Details Here
indiacom
2021-11-18T05:12:45+00:00
2021-11-18T05:12:45+00:00
Smog
India.com
Clear Skies Deceiving, Air Pollution Didn't Drop as Much as Thought During Lockdown: Study
ANI Feeds | November 17, 2021 2:47 PM IST
Air Pollution: The study noted that blue skies and an absence of visible smog can be deceiving and
Clear Skies Deceiving, Air Pollution Didn't Drop as Much as Thought During Lockdown: Study
indiacom
2021-11-17T03:47:49+00:00
2021-11-17T03:47:49+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhi Schools, Colleges Shut Till Further Notice Amid Air Pollution Crisis
India.com News Desk | November 17, 2021 12:25 AM IST
Issuing a series of directions for the national capital region, the commission also banned the
Delhi Schools, Colleges Shut Till Further Notice Amid Air Pollution Crisis
indiacom
2021-11-16T13:25:14+00:00
2021-11-16T14:23:45+00:00
Smog
India.com
Pollution Crisis: Delhi Air Quality to Remain Very Poor; No Improvement in Sight for Next 3 Days
Victor Dasgupta | November 15, 2021 11:40 PM IST
A significant drop in emissions from farm fires had brought the capital's 24-hour average AQI down
Pollution Crisis: Delhi Air Quality to Remain Very Poor; No Improvement in Sight for Next 3 Days
indiacom
2021-11-15T12:40:22+00:00
2021-11-15T13:59:22+00:00
Smog
India.com
Haryana Govt Orders Closure of All Schools Till November 17, Bans Construction Activities Amid Air Pollution Crisis
India.com News Desk | November 14, 2021 6:28 PM IST
The Delhi government also decided to switch to work from home for 100% of the workforce starting
Haryana Govt Orders Closure of All Schools Till November 17, Bans Construction Activities Amid Air Pollution
indiacom
2021-11-14T07:28:13+00:00
2021-11-14T13:53:18+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhi Air Crisis: Govt to Hold Meeting With DMRC, DTC to Increase Frequency of Public Transport Tomorrow
India.com News Desk | November 14, 2021 4:12 PM IST
Earlier in the day, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the department has issued a
Delhi Air Crisis: Govt to Hold Meeting With DMRC, DTC to Increase Frequency of Public Transport Tomorrow
indiacom
2021-11-14T05:12:47+00:00
2021-11-14T12:57:34+00:00
Smog
India.com
As Toxic Smog Chokes National Capital, Delhi Traffic Police Deploys Teams at 170 Spots To Nab Pollution Violators
India.com News Desk | November 14, 2021 8:59 PM IST
On Saturday, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had announced the closure of schools for one
As Toxic Smog Chokes National Capital, Delhi Traffic Police Deploys Teams at 170 Spots To Nab Pollution Viola
indiacom
2021-11-14T09:59:35+00:00
2021-11-14T10:00:04+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhi Smog: Doctors Advise Covid Recovered Patients to Take Extra Care, Urge People To Stay Indoors
India.com News Desk | November 14, 2021 4:59 PM IST
Several other NCR cities such as Gurugram and Greater Noida and towns in North India such as
Delhi Smog: Doctors Advise Covid Recovered Patients to Take Extra Care, Urge People To Stay Indoors
indiacom
2021-11-14T05:59:55+00:00
2021-11-14T06:55:33+00:00
Smog
India.com
Get Ready For Emergency: Pollution Control Body Restricts Outdoor Activity as Delhi's Air Quality Worsens
India.com News Desk | November 12, 2021 7:42 PM IST
Concerned agencies must be in complete readiness for implementation of measures under 'emergency'
Get Ready For Emergency: Pollution Control Body Restricts Outdoor Activity as Delhi's Air Quality Worsens
indiacom
2021-11-12T08:42:00+00:00
2021-11-12T11:37:42+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhi Continues to Wheeze as Thick Blanket Of Smog Covers National Capital, Air Quality Slips to 'Severe' Category
India.com News Desk | November 11, 2021 8:21 PM IST
Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said the ongoing smog episode is a public
Delhi Continues to Wheeze as Thick Blanket Of Smog Covers National Capital, Air Quality Slips to 'Severe' Cat
indiacom
2021-11-11T09:21:58+00:00
2021-11-11T09:23:49+00:00
Smog
India.com
Escape Tourism Gains Traction, Delhi Smog Pushes People to Beach-Side Vacay Spots
Travel Staff | November 11, 2021 12:06 PM IST
Destinations like Goa, Andaman and Lakshadweep are gaining traction, whereas locations like
Escape Tourism Gains Traction, Delhi Smog Pushes People to Beach-Side Vacay Spots
indiacom
2021-11-11T01:06:18+00:00
2021-11-11T01:06:18+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhi-NCR Gripped by Season's First Smog Episode, Could be Longest in 4 Years: CSE Report
India.com News Desk | November 11, 2021 12:13 AM IST
Lingering on of this year's smog for longer duration despite relatively windier local conditions
Delhi-NCR Gripped by Season's First Smog Episode, Could be Longest in 4 Years: CSE Report
indiacom
2021-11-10T13:13:41+00:00
2021-11-10T13:13:41+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhi Chhat Puja: Manish Sisodia Assures Celebrations With Full Fervour, Urges All To Follow Covid Protocols
India.com News Desk | November 8, 2021 6:39 PM IST
'Chhat Puja' will be celebrated with full fervour across the city. Arrangements have been made at
Delhi Chhat Puja: Manish Sisodia Assures Celebrations With Full Fervour, Urges All To Follow Covid Protocols
indiacom
2021-11-08T07:39:37+00:00
2021-11-08T08:29:57+00:00
Smog
India.com
Breaking News Highlights: 4 NDRF Teams Deployed in Tamil Nadu as IMD Issues Alert of Cyclonic Circulation
India.com News Desk | November 7, 2021 6:53 AM IST
Breaking News, Nov 8, 2021: Stay tuned to India.com for all breaking news and the latest updates
Breaking News Highlights: 4 NDRF Teams Deployed in Tamil Nadu as IMD Issues Alert of Cyclonic Circulation
indiacom
2021-11-06T19:53:55+00:00
2021-11-07T12:34:18+00:00
Smog
India.com
6 Injured, Couple Critical as Half A Dozen Vehicles Pile-up on Eastern Peripheral Highway Due to Thick Smog
India.com News Desk | November 5, 2021 2:11 PM IST
Reports claimed that the impact of the collision was such that the vehicles were wrecked
6 Injured, Couple Critical as Half A Dozen Vehicles Pile-up on Eastern Peripheral Highway Due to Thick Smog
indiacom
2021-11-05T03:11:58+00:00
2021-11-05T03:22:46+00:00
Smog
India.com
Diwali 2021: Delhi-NCR Air Quality ‘Severe’, Likely to Worsen on Friday as Firecracker Ban Goes Up in Smoke
India.com News Desk | November 4, 2021 4:51 PM IST
Residents from several parts of the city and its suburbs complained of itchy throat and watery
Diwali 2021: Delhi-NCR Air Quality ‘Severe’, Likely to Worsen on Friday as Firecracker Ban Goes Up in Smo
indiacom
2021-11-04T05:51:32+00:00
2021-11-04T12:44:10+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI to be Around 300 For Next Few Days, Says IMD
India.com News Desk | November 2, 2021 4:39 PM IST
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate",
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI to be Around 300 For Next Few Days, Says IMD
indiacom
2021-11-02T05:39:12+00:00
2021-11-02T05:45:54+00:00
Smog
India.com
Delhiites Wake Up to 'Very Poor' Category Air Quality Level After Witnessing 'Cleanest October' Since 2015
India.com News Desk | November 1, 2021 8:55 AM IST
The air quality level slipped in New Delhi after witnessing the cleanest October air this year
Delhiites Wake Up to 'Very Poor' Category Air Quality Level After Witnessing 'Cleanest October' Since 2015
indiacom
2021-10-31T21:55:11+00:00
2021-10-31T21:56:35+00:00
Smog
India.com