Delhi and Agra pollution

MrsC_772

Any tips on surviving the Agra and Delhi pollution? I'm off to India in just over a week. My parents (who are there at the moment) warned that the air pollution in Delhi and Agra are really bad. I had a few asthma attacks about 10 years ago when living in a mouldy flat but don't see myself as asthmatic and don't have any inhalers.

dhans

Not really. Avoid the rush hour is the best tip I could give or use aircon taxi's at that hour. Same with hotels, try to find something not in the middle of the center or have a room with aircon.

Hans

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PeakXV

I've found the mouldy omnipresence is certainly more enhanced in heavily broadloomed accomodations - so keep an eye & nose out for that when checking in. You might also want to source/pack a couple of those particulate respirator($4-$5) with an N95 rating - just in case you are feeling overwhelmed by any airborn agents.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

wonderwomanusa

Although I do not have asthma, I always carry inhalers to India. Ask your doctor for them.... or you probably can buy them in Delhi, so long as you know the chemical name (rather than the brand name).

Cardamom

Hi MrsC! I just got back from Delhi/Agra last week when there were record lows in temperature so there were a lot folks burning stuff to stay warm. In fact, the minute we landed at DEL, I could smell the smoke in the airplane. My travel partner though the plane was on fire

I have never had asthma problems, but suffer from extreme sinus issues. In preparation I brought along backup nasal steroids which is use during high allergy season. I also used my neti pot two to three times a day to alleviate my reaction to the pollution. Using these two methods, I was pretty much OK, but I did develop quite a cough - especially in the evenings. I also did get a slight rash on my face due to all the smog.

If you're concerned, you should see a doctor beforehand so you're prepared. Have fun!!

C


neti pot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation

capt_mahajan

The OP's question is tough, because a tourist, by definition, spends more time outdoors than many locals.

Besides travelling in airconditioned cars (or even other cars with windows up, temperatures permitting), there is not much else one can practically do. Maybe avoid peak hour traffic?

Traffic cops and even a few locals use dust/particle masks over their nose in some Indian cities. Others filter stuff through a handkerchief held over their nose.

Here in Hyderabad there is a proposal to give traffic cops access to oxygen at the end of their shifts.

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Aishah

This is the second time I'm reading about a neti pot. What is it???
All asthma medication is readily available here should you need it. Asthalin is generic name for ventolin. Many preventative types also.
How long are you staying in Delhi? If for a long time then you may have to get sorted for asthma - I'm asthmatic, using a mild preventative only and when I am in Delhi by Day 4 I am feeling I might have to double the dose. I don't need to take ventolin type inhaler. As soon as I leave Delhi I'm feeling back to normal. But everyone is different - you may be fine.
As suggested stay in a place with tiles or polished stone floors.
When I'm travelling in autorickshaw I use a handkerchief over nose.

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capt_mahajan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ethnome...ine_Nasal_Wash


when I used to do this years ago, I just used my cupped palm with water in it.

Aishah

Thanks for links, Captain. Strangely, I thought this was some weird drug taking equipment!!! I guess the hand would cost nothing and be just as effective. Salt water - good for many things!

brownboy66

by way of an update - the pollution hasn't been so bad in Delhi for the past few days. The temperature has gone up a few degrees lately, and more importantly there has been a bit of a breeze - so none of usually fog/ smog has been hanging around. Lovely day today.