Right from Dusshera till the last shout of `Happy New Year' fades out, asthma patients have a tougher time than the rest coping with the rise in polluting smoke in the atmosphere. N U Belande, a Bandra resident who has been an asthma patient for several years, says her attacks increase during Diwali due to the smoke generated by the bursting of fire crackers. She is generally forced to head out to her other house in Panvel, though she would like to celebrate her Diwali in Mumbai itself. ``It's a pity that some people take pride in blowing up thousands of rupees in lighting fire crackers that go out in minutes,'' she remarked.

``They simply do not stop to think of the amount of pollution that they generate and the severe asthma attacks that they trigger off in patients in thevicinity.''

Dr Pramod Niphadkar, asthma consultant, said fire crackers when burnt release pollutants like sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, managanese and even cadmium, which damage the respiratory tract. For asthma patients, who already have hyperactive airways, these pollutants further irritate the bronchial mucosa and swell up the inner linings of the respiratory tract. This causes spasms in the patients, triggering off asthma attacks, informed Dr Niphadkar. In some cases, when the air becomes thick with smoke, patients are unable to breathe on their own and may even have to be hospitalised, he added.

Asthma patients staying in congested localities are more likely to suffer as the smoke generated by fire crackers does not disperse easily. The Asthma and Bronchitis Association of India has been trying to create awareness that one person's idea of fun could well be an asthma patient's nightmare. Dr Niphadkar suggested that people light firecrackers only in open spaces like playgrounds,terraces or beaches. ``Asthma patients have as much right to stick around and enjoy Diwali. Our actions should not force them to flee the city,'' he said.

Play it, but safe