A new SmyttenPulse AI Survey has highlighted the deepening health and financial impact of persistent air pollution across Delhi-NCR, revealing that a majority of residents are now directly affected by toxic air. According to the findings, 68.3% of respondents reported seeking medical assistance in the past year specifically for illnesses triggered or worsened by pollution. From chronic coughs and breathlessness to severe respiratory infections, residents say the region’s hazardous air quality has left them with no choice but to turn to doctors more frequently.
The survey further shows that 85% of people are feeling a sharp financial strain due to rising health-related expenses. Many respondents pointed to increased spending on medicines, air purifiers, masks, and hospital visits as pollution-linked ailments become more frequent and harder to manage. Families with children and elderly members reported the highest rise in health costs, saying pollution has turned into an unavoidable monthly burden.
Residents also expressed growing concern about long-term conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular issues that doctors say are increasingly linked to prolonged exposure to poor air quality. Several said that they now restrict outdoor activities, especially during peak pollution weeks, and even avoid early morning walks once a routine part of their lifestyle.
Interestingly, the survey highlighted a shift in public perception, with more than half the respondents blaming both governance lapses and individual negligence for worsening pollution levels. While many believe that stricter enforcement of emission norms and better public transport could help, others stressed the need for citizens to reduce vehicle use and adopt cleaner habits.
The report underscores a grim reality: pollution in Delhi-NCR is no longer just an environmental challenge it has become a public health emergency affecting daily life, well-being, and household finances on an unprecedented scale.
