A thick layer of smog - a toxic blend of smoke and fog - enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) this morning as the air quality index (AQI) plummeted to the "severe-plus" category, forcing authorities to announce stricter pollution control measures. Smog also affected visibility in the national capital, which hit flight operations and train services.
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Even people who do not have asthma can experience respiratory symptoms when pollution levels are high. In some cases, repeated or prolonged exposure may also affect lung function and increase the risk of respiratory and other health problems.
The ranking was led by Bulandshahr, followed by Aligarh and Faridkot, as AQI readings crossed 600 in all 10 cities.
There is no single recovery time for everyone. It depends on how much pollution a person was exposed to and whether the exposure was brief or repeated.
The national capital's AQI was above 600, significantly higher than the readings recorded in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
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