Delhi’s Toxic Air: 1 in 3 children suffer from respiratory illness, nebulizer sales soar amid crisis

Delhi Pollution: As the national capital grapples with “severe plus” air quality, one in every three children in Delhi is reportedly suffering from life threatening respiratory problems, including acute bronchitis and difficulty in breathing, according to a recent survey.

A survey titled Report on Respiratory Health and Demand for Respiratory Aids in Delhi by ‘Warrior Moms’ highlights the alarming state of children’s respiratory health. The report found that nearly one-third of nebulizer sales were for children.

“In South Delhi, chemists report ed an average of 100 customers per day, with 30 purchasing nebulizers daily. Of these, 10 were parents buying nebulizers for their children, indicating that a significant portion of young residents are suffering from respiratory issues,” the report revealed.

Similarly, in East Delhi, out of 120 daily customers at pharmacies, 40 purchased nebulizers, with 13 of these purchases meant for children. “This underscores the vulnerability of young lungs to Delhi’s smog-filled air,” the report stated.

Also read: Delhi Pollution: Why PM2.5 matters more than the AQI

The situation was even more dire in North Delhi, where an average of 150 customers visited pharmacies daily, and 50 nebulizer sales were recorded. Of these, 17 were for children, reflecting widespread struggles with symptoms such as wheezing, persistent cough, and breath lessness.

In Central Delhi, 90 daily customers were reported, 27 of whom purchased nebulizers. Among these, 9 were parents seeking relief for their children’s respiratory issues, demonstrating that no part of the city is immune to this crisis.

Speaking to Patriot, RC Bansal, a pharmacist from Livwell Pharmacy in Defence Colony, shared: “A mother came to the pharmacy almost every week during November to January, desperately asking for a stronger inhaler for her seven-year-old son. She told me how helpless she felt because, despite using regular medications, her child was waking up every night struggling to breathe. She tried everything—air purifiers, masks— but nothing seemed to work during high-pollution days. It’s heart breaking, and unfortunately, her story isn’t unique. Many parents here are watching their children suffer because of the worsening air quality.”

Medicines sales surge by 40%

Pharmacists across the city have reported a 40% increase in sales of nebulizers and inhalers like Asthalin and Levolin during peak pollution months, as children face heightened respiratory distress.

In South Delhi, pharmacies such as Livwell Pharmacy (Defence Colony) and Apollo Pharmacy (Saket) noted a 50% increase in nebulizer sales, with brands like Philips and Omron being most sought-after during December and January. Inhaler sales also rose by 30%, but the increased demand led to shortages of essential medications like Budecort Respules and Duolin inhalation solutions, leaving families distressed.

In East Delhi, chemists in Karkardooma and Anand Vihar reported that every third customer during winter was a parent purchasing nebulizers for their children. Sales of medicines like Foracort, Levolin respules, and Seroflo inhalers rose by 40%, driven by complaints of persistent cough, chest tightness, and nasal congestion.

North Delhi saw a 60% surge in nebulizer demand as parents sought solutions for their children’s respiratory problems. Pharmacies in Kamla Nagar and Rohini recorded high sales of Asthalin inhalers and Budecort respules, reflecting the prevalence of asthma attacks.

In Central Delhi, Metro Pharmacy (Connaught Place) and Apollo Pharmacy (Karol Bagh) reported a doubling of nebulizer sales during peak pollution months. Demand for inhalers such as Levolin and Seroflo increased by 45%.

Stock challenges for respiratory aids

Pharmacists noted significant challenges in maintaining an adequate supply of respiratory aids. The report by ‘Warrior Moms’ stated: “Shortages of high-demand items such as Duolin Respules, Asthalin inhalers, and Budecort nebulizing solutions were reported citywide. Logistical delays during peak pollution months further strained sup plies in high-demand areas.”

Metro Pharmacy in Connaught Place revealed that they had to work closely with distributors to ensure consistent stock availability, citing citywide demand as a primary factor behind the disruptions.

A call for clean air

Dr Mehak Segan, Lead Public Health Adviser at ‘Warrior Moms’, told Patriot: “While conducting the survey, many chemists said that sales of nebulisers and inhalers for children nearly double in winter months. It’s like we are preparing for a battle every year, but this is a battle for survival, not just convenience. That is why we, as concerned mothers, have conducted this survey to send a reminder to our leaders.”

Meera V, a mother who conduct ed the survey in East Delhi, said: “Every third customer in the chemist’s shop is a parent like me, buying medicine for their child’s breathing problems. If this doesn’t make the authorities act, what will? We’re literally seeing our children struggle to take their next breath.”

Bhavreen Kandhari, Co-Founder of ‘Warrior Moms’, said: “We cannot stand by while our children struggle to breathe. Every inhaler and every nebulizer purchased is a reminder of the systemic failure to ensure clean air—a fundamental right for every child. Chemists have shared heartbreaking accounts of many parents unable to afford critical respiratory aids, leaving children to suffer without proper care. This also highlights a grave issue of equity and justice that must be urgently addressed. No child’s ability to breathe should depend on their family’s income. This absolutely demands immediate, decisive action by the government to ensure clean air to protect the health and future of all children, regardless of economic status.”

On November 17, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated into the “severe plus” category, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 457 by 7 pm. On November 18, the AQI breached the unimaginable 1,500 mark in multiple areas in the Capital, prompting the enforcement of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is the highest emergency response and allows the imposition of the most stringent curbs to tackle pollution.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR categorises air quality into four stages: Stage 1 for “poor” (AQI 201–300), Stage 2 for “very poor” (AQI 301 400), Stage 3 for “severe” (AQI 401 450), and Stage 4 for “severe plus” (AQI above 450).

Also read: Delhi’s air pollution is taking a toll on the health of pregnant women

Expert’s perspective

“Children exposed to air pollution face a heightened risk of develop ing respiratory diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, and other infections,” said Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, a consultant in the Pulmonology department at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.

“For children already suffering from asthma, polluted air can exac erbate breathing problems”, he said.

He explained, “Long-term expo sure to air pollution is associated with cardiovascular diseases later in life. It can also permanently damage the lungs and increase the risk of lung cancer.”

Dr Grover highlighted the link between air pollution and preterm births, saying 34% of such deliveries are associated with toxic air that has the potential to cause lifelong health issues.

He also drew attention to other critical effects: “Air pollution is linked to middle ear infections, known as otitis media, and an increased risk of childhood leukaemia due to exposure to traffic-related pollutants. Additionally, it can contribute to stunted growth and malnutrition in children, severely impacting their overall development.”

Lastly, Dr Grover pointed out the broader implications: “The impact of pollution on health often leads to increased school absenteeism, which disrupts education and social development.”