Once sparsely populated, Manali in north Chennai is now a hub of industrial activity.
Everyone in Deenadayalan's family in Chennai suffers from respiratory problems including allergic asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis.
Deenadayalan, 81, lives near Manali, an industrial belt in north Chennai, where air pollution is the highest in the city.
Once sparsely populated, Manali is now a hub of industrial activity. It is also densely inhabited - one of the worst-hit spots of Chennai's public health nightmare. Oil refineries, fertilizer factories and a thermal power plant dot this belt. The tall chimneys at the plants release smoke and fumes round the clock.
Suspended particulate matter in the area is 45 per cent over permissible limits. People breathe toxic air filled with ammonia, carbon monoxide and sulphur-dioxide.
"During the rainy season, the toxic air settles down like mist in Kashmir. During other seasons, we get a burning sensation in our nostrils and throat because of chemicals," Deenadayalan said.
Dr R Sridharan from the Asthma and Allergy Resource Centre in the city says, "There's a steady increase in the cases of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and asthma in areas where there is an increase in pollution."
Deenadayalan's grand-daughter a student of class ten, has also developed respiratory problems.
"I have no money. Otherwise I would have shifted my family to south Chennai," said Deenadayalan's son son Gnansekar, who works in a factory. "This is not good for my family. My friend's father died of kidney cancer, another dear friend's father died of liver cancer."
Another resident living in the toxic zone, 51-year-old Sundararajan, is taking treatment for severe itching on his skin.