As Delhi chokes on hazardous air, businesses purchase masks, air purifiers, and work from home policies

 As Delhi chokes on hazardous air, businesses purchase masks, air purifiers, and work from home policies

The terrible air quality in Delhi and its surroundings is predicted to deteriorate over the coming several days due to an anticipated decrease in temperature and an increase in field fires.

On Friday night, the Pan-India AQI was 151. According to statistics from AQI.in, the PM 2.5 concentration was 94, which is 6.3 times more than the recommended level provided by the WHO 24-hour air quality recommendations value.

Companies are implementing various steps such as work from home policies, air purifiers on the premises, and physicians on call in response to the persistent thick poisonous haze that is engulfing Delhi and its surrounding areas. This haze is known to induce respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

Primary schools were closed in numerous regions of the National Capital Region because the Air Quality Index (AQI) was below 500. On November 3, the Anand Vihar AQI in Delhi was recorded at 999. A measurement of 150 is deemed harmful.

The Economic Times said that in reaction to the deteriorating circumstances, more than a dozen businesses, including Deloitte, KPMG, Panasonic, BigBasket, BluSmart, Zepto, and CIEL HR Services, have unveiled initiatives.

According to Deloitte, workers are permitted to work from home when non-essential outside activities are advised against by public authorities. According to the research, workers are urged to take a "well-being day off," which is a leave entitlement apart from yearly leave, if they feel unfavorable symptoms.

It said that Deloitte and the Haryana government will collaborate on a project to manage agricultural residue with the goal of lowering stubble fire, a major cause of wintertime air pollution.

The ride-sharing startup BluSmart has provided discounted rates to its staff in an effort to promote environmentally responsible travel.

If an employee at Panasonic is sick, they may work from home. According to the article, the sales crew has been counseled to take the appropriate safety measures, such donning masks and drinking enough of water.

Since they are unable to avoid working outside, frontline employees confront additional difficulties. They have access to physicians and masks, but gig workers may choose to take time off if they feel uncomfortable working in such settings, the article said.

Zepto, a rapid commerce company, has guaranteed on-call medical assistance and given its riders N95 masks.

According to the newspaper, Yuvaraj Srivastava, chief HR officer at MakeMyTrip, said that while the company hasn't taken any special action for the present circumstances, flexibility is a common practice that allows workers to take time off as required.