Delhi: Women labour against odds as pollution poses grave health risks

New Delhi: Construction worker Draupadi has had a liver condition for eight years. Though her doctor advised her to stop working because dust is a major reason for her deteriorating health, the 43-year-old knows of no other way she can earn for her family. Her husband too has skin disease that can be traced to pollution, but they are hired intermittent and must make the most of all opportunities to work.

“I have laboured at construction sites for nearly two decade and I don’t know any other work,” Draupadi, a mother of two, told TOI. “We are now aware of air pollution and its impact on our health, so we ask the contractors to sprinkle water on the dust.” Draupadi was among the women construction workers at an event organised by Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) and Help Delhi Breathe campaign on problems faced by such labourers and the co-creation of solutions with the government and other stakeholders.

According to WIEGO, or Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing, construction labourers comprise the biggest worker group in Delhi at 7% of total employed.

All construction workers, but women especially, are vulnerable to air pollution and climate change. The event drew attention to the high levels of air pollution at construction sites that caused lung, skin and heart diseases.

Savki, who works at a construction site near Tikri border, said the constant exposure to dust from 9am to 6pm has caused her cough and breathing problems. Her problem doesn’t end with going home. As Poonam from Gokulpuri pointed out, “An LPG cylinder costs Rs 1,000 and my mother-in-law asked me to use the chulha to save money. Now we are exposed to indoor pollution as well.” No wonder Sunita desired the government to organise health camps for them.

MHT has trained 50 women as ‘AQI ambassadors’ to make the rounds of slum clusters and construction areas to raise awareness about air pollution. These women, mostly construction workers, have learnt how to use portable AQI monitors to keep track pollution in their communities and work sites.

Lakshmi, an AQI ambassador, said the AQI reading at construction sites is mostly an unhealthy 350-400. “We show the reading to workers and educate them about the impact of pollution on their health. We advise them to wear masks and gloves, sprinkle water on dust and cover all construction material,” said Lakshmi.

Bijal Brahmbhatt, director, MHT, said, “In September last year, we launched this project to provide scientific understanding of air pollution issue and trained AQI ambassadors from Sawda Ghevra, Bakkarwala and Gokulpuri. The 50 women trained 1,700 others and in the past nine months, they have together educated nearly one lakh construction workers about pollution.”

Reena Gupta, advisor, environment department, Delhi government, will submit the women’s suggestions given at the event to the government.

“The state government has issued a 14-point guideline to control dust pollution at all construction sites,” said Gupta. “The workers should ask the site supervisor not to flout these rules and report any pollution-related problem using the Green Delhi app.”