Diya, second-year student of Delhi University from Bihar, skipped all the classes of the third semester. She said that Delhi’s water had given her facial rashes, and she felt it was inappropriate to attend college in such a state. Another student from the same university, Vansh from Delhi, gave a similar justification.
My domestic help from Uttar Pradesh complained of rashes a few days ago and requested time off to see a doctor. My neighbour, Dr Das, is a medical practitioner who frequently sneezes, making other people and his patients uncomfortable. In fact, this allergy has affected his profession.
The air quality index in the capital city is always fluctuating between severe and very poor. Emissions from industries, construction work and vehicles contribute to this poor air quality. Then, we consume packaged food that contain harmful chemicals to extend its shelf life. Food colouring added to fruits and vegetables also impact our bodies. “When combined, these types of contamination and environmental pollution cause the body to react in the form of allergies,” said Dr Arvind Pandey. Many of his patients experience symptoms of allergies, specifically skin allergies.
There are clinical ways to identify the cause of allergies, ranging from dust to food colouring. Skin prick tests, which detect IgE antibodies that react to particular allergens, or tests measuring allergen-specific IgE antibodies are recommended by physicians. Depending on the lab, the price of the test ranges from Rs 4,000-15,000. Some government hospitals provide free tests for allergies. Once detected, the patient is up for an expensive treatment.
These out-of-pocket expenses severely affect the already tight budget and daily responsibilities of the economically weaker sections. The additional cost of diagnosis and therapy exacerbates the financial situation of students who travel to Delhi for higher education, who already struggle with housing, fooding and other expenses. Additionally, their education and classes are hindered as Diya and Vansh had described.
The diagnosis and treatment process has a negative impact on the employment and income of those in unskilled or semi-skilled occupations. They must forfeit their daily income in order to wait in long lines at government hospitals for free care or pay a high price to receive care at private clinics. Its like being caught between rock and a hard place.
The dilemma that now emerges is whether these students and the underprivileged should bear the guilt for these expenses or does the answer lie somewhere else.
In an interview conducted by The Times of India, Dr Titiyal said, “there has been a nearly 35 per cent increase in cases of eye allergy due to increased levels of pollution in the city”. Hospitals in Delhi and Noida reported a sharp increase in skin allergy cases. Health professionals have asserted that air pollution is the only factor causing these allergies.
Health experts have noted that patients have been seeking treatment for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. These three issues account for a majority of the cases. There is no permanent solution for these skin issues, therefore long-term medicine is necessary. They could potentially be made worse by pollutants.
Food colouring and flavour enhancers have also been linked to various types of allergies, according to some doctors. Infections, rashes and skin irritation can result from showering or hand washing with contaminated water. High concentrations of phosphates, detergents and other dangerous chemicals found in Yamuna water can cause allergic reactions or exacerbate pre-existing skin disorders like eczema.
The extent of migration is evident by the extent of urbanisation. Despite a number of social and cultural obstacles, people move to this capital city in quest of education, better quality of life and means of subsistence. Instead of providing us with a better and safer life, the city’s pollution threatens our health and costs us money. We are subjected to an unfair trade-off: whether to live in Delhi or leave Delhi.
Trishna Sarkar is an assistant professor (department of economics) at Dr BR Ambedkar College, University of Delhi.
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.