Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari is among many residents of the industrial town of India's Byrnihat inflicted by illnesses that doctors say are likely linked to high exposure to pollution. She was battling breathing problems for several days before she was hospitalized in March and given oxygen support. - REUTERS
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00:00This is, according to a 2024 report, the world's most polluted town, and that's left residents of India's Bernahat battling skin rashes and struggling to breathe.
00:13Sumaya Ansari is among those suffering with illnesses that doctors say are likely linked to high exposure to pollution.
00:20The two-year-old was hospitalized in March and required oxygen support.
00:24Her father, Abdul Halim, says she was struggling with breathing issues.
00:31The situation started a few months ago, he added, but has recently intensified.
00:37Dr. Jay Marak works at Bernahat Primary Health Care Center.
00:40In most of the cases that we see here, be it adult or in pediatric section, we see most, like 90% of the cases will fall in cough and cough.
00:48So, it will be, and likewise, the total number of cases will fall towards respiratory problems.
00:53Swiss air-quality watchdog IQ Air reported on annual average PM2.5 concentrations in 2024.
01:02PM2.5 is a particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter.
01:07That's small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs, posing significant health risks.
01:13Bernahat's annual average was 25 times over the level recommended by the World Health Organization.
01:19Residents say the toxic air causes eye irritation and restricts daily activities, like drying laundry outdoors.
01:28It also damages crops, says farmer Dilda Hussain.
01:32Everything in the surrounding area has turned black.
01:35Earlier, there was just one factory nearby.
01:38But because of the new factory, we are unable to grow anything like betel nuts or leaves.
01:42We cannot even stay indoors.
01:45Bernahat's plight reflects a wider issue of pollution in India amid breakneck industrial growth.
01:52But unlike other regions in India that experience pollution spikes in winter, government data suggests Bernahat's air quality stays poor all year round.
02:02That's partly down to its concentration of around 80 industries, many of which are highly polluting.
02:07But experts say the problem is also compounded by factors like heavy vehicle emissions and its bowl-shaped topography.
02:16Next is finally an official worldview.
02:27I think of somewhat as vocalizes the problem in India.
02:28This is the time of known for collecting spinzers.
02:33In addition of social expenses, we do not have an exact same area here.
02:37The sensory activity has increased hugely fibre, the type of suggests stirring very well-appeומ�E route.