Hyderabad, Nov 27 (UNI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said the COVID pandemic gave a timely reminder that the quality of air we breath also determines our health and wellbeing.
Speaking after inaugurating the second Annual International Conference on Interventional Pulmonology- BRONCHUS 2021 (organised by Yashoda Hospitals) virtually from Upa Rashtrapati Nivas, he called for rethinking the planning and construction approach of houses to ensure proper air circulation and sunlight in indoor spaces.
Mr Naidu referred to research studies which show airborne transmission of viruses produced by even normal breathing or talking can happen as the viruses stay suspended in the air for hours. Crowded spaces with poor ventilation can pose high infection risk to individuals exposed to the stagnant air, he noted.
In this regard, Mr Naidu called for creating living and working spaces with ample ventilation and natural light, and urged the medical fraternity to take this message to the people.
The Vice President observed that people are much more aware of the importance of respiratory health after the pandemic.
He remarked that there has to be greater public outreach - both by the government and the civic society - on lung and throat cancer caused by the use of tobacco.
Mr Naidu expressed concern about the deteriorating outdoor air quality in major cities, especially during the winter months.
Pointing to climate change and vehicular pollution as important contributing factors, he stressed the need for a serious rethink to our approach towards development from a sustainability standpoint and called upon people to evaluate one’s lifestyle and try to reduce their carbon footprint to the extent possible.
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