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If Delhi’s air had a personality, it would be that unpredictable character in a soap opera who, one minute is all sunshine and roses, the next a complete chaos cloud. We’ve always blamed winter for the infamous smog attacks. But this week, summer reminded us it’s no less of a troublemaker.

Dust storms just gatecrashed Delhi like an uninvited guest, and they brought a lot of baggage. On May 15, 2025, the capital woke up hazy again. Visibility had plummeted, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) zoomed past 200, well into the ‘poor’ category. 

According to the India Meteorological Department, strong, dust-laden winds swept across the region overnight, drastically worsening air quality and reminding us that clean air is far from guaranteed, even under sunny skies. 

Who knew that we would be tracking PM10 levels and dry coughing our way to work in summer, too? 

But here we are. Again.  

Summer Air Has Its Dirty Secrets

It’s easy to assume that winter is the bad guy because you can see it — the thick fog, the suffocating smog, the headlines screaming “Severe AQI!” But summer? It’s sneakier.

While winter air pollution is largely caused by stubble burning, low wind speeds, and inversion layers trapping pollutants close to the ground, summer brings a different but equally dangerous trio to the party:

• Dust Pollution (PM 2.5): Strong summer winds stir up massive amounts of coarse dust particles (PM2.5 & PM10) from dry roads, open construction sites, and bare land. These particles can irritate the respiratory tract, trigger asthma attacks, and make outdoor activity hazardous, especially for children and the elderly.
• Toxic Gases (NOx): NOx gases are formed when sunlight reacts with vehicle emissions (NO2, NO). It is most intense during summer afternoons and can cause chest pain, throat irritation, and reduced lung function, especially during exercise or outdoor work.
• Vehicular Emissions: Emission from the vehicle adds more nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the atmosphere; key ingredients in ozone formation. Delhi’s consistent traffic volume means vehicles are a year-round contributor to poor air quality.

So while the air may look clearer in summer, it’s often packed with ozone, dust, and heat-reactive pollutants, a harmful cocktail for our lungs and hearts.

Health Impacts: Pollution Doesn’t Pause for Summer

Air pollution isn’t a short-term discomfort, it’s a long-term public health threat. And the effects persist throughout the year, regardless of the weather. The Delhi government’s Medical Certification of Cause of Deaths report indicates that deaths due to respiratory diseases have been steadily increasing, rising from 4.91% (2,769 deaths) in 2005 to 9.93% (8,801 deaths) in 2023.

Key Health Effects of Year-Round Pollution:

• Respiratory Issues: Coughing, wheezing, asthma, and cqhronic bronchitis are worsened by both PM and ozone exposure.
• Cardiovascular Problems: Air pollution has been linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, particularly due to fine particles entering the bloodstream.
• Skin & Eye Irritation: Dryness, inflammation, and rashes can be triggered by ozone and dust particles.
• Children & Elderly at Risk: Developing lungs and aging immune systems are particularly vulnerable. 

What Can We Do?

Tackling air pollution requires collective effort — from government policies to individual action. While large-scale reforms (clean energy, better public transport, and construction regulations) are vital, protecting indoor air quality is something we can manage today.

Magneto is leading the way in transforming indoor environments into safer, healthier spaces — be it at home, school, hospitals, or workplaces. Unlike basic air purifiers, Magneto uses advanced air purification systems that actively clean the air of not just dust, but microscopic threats.

In a city where outdoor air is beyond our control, clean indoor air becomes non-negotiable, especially in homes, schools, clinics, offices, etc.  

It’s Time to Think Beyond Winter

Delhi’s current dust storm didn’t just mess up our morning jogs, it highlighted a deeper issue. We’ve become used to treating air pollution as a seasonal inconvenience. But it’s time to see it for what it is: a year-long, evolving health emergency.

We are constantly exposed to pollutants that impact our quality of life and long-term health. Waiting for winter to talk about clean air is like wearing a seatbelt only on highways — it’s too little, too late.

So let’s shift the narrative. Let’s demand clean air all 12 months of the year and take action where we can.