Conducted over a period of three years, the study states that around 30 per cent of the population in the survey areas is suffering from pollution-related respiratory problems.

Dr A A Mahashur, head of the Chest Medicine at KEM and EPRC explains: ``Our survey indicates that in the four areas we picked, incidents of respiratory problems are high. These areas are all highly polluted and in most cases it was the pollution that aggravated the problem.''

According to the EPRC report, in the Lalbaug area, 35 per cent of people suffer from bronchitis, asthma andother respiratory tract infections. At Garodia Nagar and Premjyot Nagar in Chembur, the percentage is higher. While 38 per cent in Garodia Nagar are down with breathing trouble, in Premjyot Nagar 31 per cent suffer from the same. In Borivli, only 25 per cent of the people are affected.

The study also reveals that in all cases, women and children below six were the worst affected. Explaining this trend, EPRC officials say since women tend to spend more time in the polluted locality, they are affected more. While men move in and out of these areas because of their work, women and young children breathe the polluted air for longer durations.

Dr Jaisingh Phadtare, head of the department of Chest Diseases at Grant Medical College says: ``A lot of morning walkers in Bandra have complained about the morning haze. Breathing in areas of Chembur is like smoking five to 10 cigarettes in a matter of hours. It's getting worse and there is loads of evidence piling up against air pollution the world over.''

Statisticsavailable from 1991 indicate 20,000 cases of bronchitis due to pollution every year. Approximately seven lakh Mumbaikars are affected by asthma annually, and 1,90,000 children are bronchitis patients.

In 1991-92, a World Bank study on the health effects of air pollution in 36 Indian cities revealed that suspended particulate matter (SPM) levels led to premature death of 40,000 people every year in the cities surveyed. The Centre for Science and Environment repeated the study in 1995 and their results indicated that 52,000 people died prematurely, a rise of 28 per cent in just three years.

``The OPD here is a clear indication that the numbers are going up,'' says Mahashur. ``Earlier, only smokers and factory workers suffered from respiratory diseases. Now an increasing number of people are getting affected by pollution.

Phadtare adds -- ``Doctors see around 30 to 40 patients every day who are suffering from pollution-related problems. Of these, at least three or four are children. Chest clinics in thecity are seeing increasing cases of asthma and bronchitis. A NEERI report indicates that 97 per cent of the population is living in a high pollution zone.''

Doctors say the earliest indications of trouble are burning eyes. The problem begins with eye irritation, followed by a cough or nauseating feeling. Over the years, these symptoms give way to the disease. While the most common ailments are bronchitis and asthma, the EPRC study also came up with a cases of hypertension in Parel and Chembur.

Carbon monoxide - Fatal in large doses. Aggravates heart disorders, affects central nervous system, impairs oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Signs to watch out for: giddiness, unconsciousness, high blood pressure

Nitrogen oxides (from diesel vehicles), Sulphur dioxides - respiratory irritants. Nitrogen oxide causes bronchitis and bronchopneumonia. It is easily absorbed into the blood stream and reduces its oxygen-carrying capacity. Causes lung tissues to become leathery and brittle. Known tocause lung cancer also.

Signs to watch out for: wheezing, coughs, persistent colds, asthma.

Ozone: Does not affect respiration directly. However, affects functioning of the heart and brain.

Lead (from petrol vehicles) - affects nervous system and blood, can impair children's mental development, causes hypertension.

Benzene - CarcinogenicHydrocarbons (mainly from 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers) - drowsiness, eye irritation and coughing.