Central Pollution Control Board and All India institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) conducted health survey during 1997-98 on individuals residing in the residential areas of Delhi . Irritation of eyes was the most common complaint and about 44% of the subjects surveyed suffered from it (Table 17). Next was cough and pharyngitis and 28.8 % and 16.5% respectively suffered from it. Dysponea affected 16% of the people . Symptoms like Nausea (10%) and Respiratory problems (5.9%) were some of the other complaints. Thus the basic complaints, which are normally related to air pollution such as, eye irritation, respiratory problems (bronchitis, dysponea and rhinitis) and nervous system problems (headaches and depression) were common and widespread. Even the lung functions such as forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (Table 16) were found to be much lower than the Clement Clark,s standard probably due to high air pollution levels.

Table 16 Comparison of Lung function (Spirometry) of Delhi Residents with Clement Clark’s Standard

Source: Rani Kumar, AIIMS, Delhi ``Effects of environmental pollution on status of human health of Delhi residents''1999

Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1)

This measures the amount of air forcefully exhaled in a sustained breath.

Forced Vital Capacity(FVC)

This is the measure of the maximum amount of air exhaled after inhaling as deeply as one can.

Peak Expiratory Flow(PEF)

This measures how fast one can exhale the air after its inhalation

Table 17 Medical Symptoms Prevalent Among Delhi Residents

Source: Rani Kumar, AIIMS, Delhi ``Effects of environmental pollution on status of human health of Delhi residents''1999