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.
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