Delhi Air Pollution Crisis: 80% Residents Face Health Issues, 68% Seek Medical Help, Study Reveals

A recent survey reveals that over 80 percent of Delhi-NCR residents are suffering from ongoing health issues such as chronic cough, extreme fatigue, and respiratory problems due to the region's polluted air.

According to the SmyttenPulseAI Survey, 68.3 percent of residents have required medical care within the past year specifically for ailments related to pollution, indicating an emerging healthcare crisis in the region.

The study found that 76.4 percent of participants have significantly limited their time outdoors, effectively turning their homes into shelters from the toxic air environment.

This comprehensive research, which included 4,000 residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, presents a troubling picture of a metropolitan area where citizens struggle with the fundamental act of breathing, according to consumer research firm Smytten PulseAI.

The survey also highlighted that 79.8 percent of residents are contemplating relocation or have already moved away, with 33.6 percent actively planning to leave, 31 percent seriously considering it, and 15.2 percent having already relocated.

Approximately 37 percent have taken concrete steps toward relocation, including visiting properties in other cities, inquiring at schools, or making family decisions about moving elsewhere.

Popular relocation destinations include hilly areas, smaller towns with less industrial activity, and essentially any location outside the Delhi-NCR region where residents don't need to constantly monitor air quality apps.

The pollution crisis has also created financial pressure on middle-class families, with 85.3 percent reporting increased household expenses due to pollution, and 41.6 percent experiencing considerable financial difficulties.

Swagat Sarangi, Co-Founder of Smytten PulseAI, stated, "The study shows that prolonged poor air quality is reshaping everyday life - influencing health behaviour, spending patterns and long-term living decisions."

Sarangi further noted, "It is no longer just an environmental concern, but a factor impacting lifestyle and quality of life, underscoring the need for sustained, data-backed and collaborative action."