Bangalore children at risk of asthma, experts warn

More children are falling victim to air pollution in Bangalore, new research has shown, with asthma on the increase in the city.

A study from the Centre for Infrastructure Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP) within the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) found that the incidence of asthma had risen by ten times in the last 16 years.

Levels soared from 2.8 per cent in 1994 to 28.8 per cent in 2010.

Experts believe this is due to an increase in construction works, road widening, tree felling and rising numbers of vehicles on the roads.

Mahesh Kashyap, a researcher with CiSTUP, noted that ten per cent of the city’s population suffer from health problems that have been caused by air pollution.

According to the report, traffic police - who spend most of their time at road junctions - are more susceptible to respiratory problems. It was found that over one-quarter of traffic cops have asthma, while 27 per cent suffer from a cough and eight per cent reported breathlessness.

Also contributing to the situation is the increase in the average temperature of the city, which has increased from 29.8 degrees C in 2008 to 30.9 degrees C in 2012. According to Kashyap, this rise in temperature will impact on the formation of the o-zone layer.

When it comes to rectifying the situation, the study advised changing locations of exhaust, emission testing, promoting public transport, use of alternative fuel and promoting four-stroke engine vehicles.

In addition, CiSTUP recommended that people should take extra precautions to avoid respiratory diseases during summer. He suggested that people should avoid being outside between 12.00 and 16.00 during the hot season. In addition, those already having such respiratory problems should try to go out only after 18.00, he said.