Air pollution affects lung health in many ways. Studies show that people living in the Delhi-NCR reported more cases of respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing and tightness in the chest. Air purifiers are essential tools in minimising indoor house pollutants, but one must accompany them with healthy habits like wearing masks, cleaning the house regularly, and practising yoga asanas for stronger respiratory health.
What pollutants are most harmful to lung health?
Some of the most destructive agents regarding lung health can be encountered outdoors and indoors. They can have a drastic impact on the function of the respiratory system. The major pollutants include:
Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Fine and coarse particles, especially PM2.5, are very small in diameter. They enter deep inside the lungs and can even enter the bloodstream, causing diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer.
O₃, or Ground-level Ozone is one of the major smog components. It may induce respiratory disorders, exacerbate asthma and decrease lung function. Furthermore, motor vehicles and power plants mainly emit NO₂ or Nitrogen Dioxide. NO₂ causes irritation in the airways, exacerbates lung diseases, and even decreases lung function in children and old-aged populations.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), emitted as a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, causes respiratory irritation, resulting in diseases like asthma and chronic bronchitis. Carbon Monoxide (CO) can lower the blood’s oxygen-transporting capabilities. This is a serious health issue for those with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
VOCs are chemical substances found in industrial pollution and have been linked to lung inflammation, exacerbation of asthma, and destroyed lung tissue over increasing years. Moreover, many carcinogens are found in first-hand and second-hand smoke causing partial damage to the lungs resulting in diseases like COPD.
Radon, a naturally occurring, radioactive gas, can be a penetrator indoors and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. When asbestos fibres- sometimes part of older building materials- are inhaled, they lead to serious lung diseases, including asbestosis, and the most serious form of cancer, mesothelioma.
Mould spores and dust mites are some of the most common indoor air pollutants that can light up asthma or any other respiratory condition, especially in children and people with pre-existing conditions.
How do pollution levels in cities like Delhi affect the lungs?
Research says that people in the NCR reported more complaints of respiratory diseases such as cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness than people in other states. This study showed that air pollution in Delhi-NCR has a detrimental effect on the lung health of young people living in this area. Swati Ramola, Yoga Instructor and Therapist, Dehradun, Uttarakhand suggests people, especially those with respiratory problems like asthma perform asanas such as anulom vilom, pranayama, nadi shodhana, bhastrika to manage their respiratory problems and strengthen lung function.
Air pollution affects our respiratory and cardiovascular systems and manifests in the form of issues such as asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and bronchitis. Moreover, the finer particulate matter can go deep into the lungs and further into the veins in the body, causing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, hypertension, and heart attacks. It is also one of the significant causes of Type-2 diabetes in India. Prof Vitull K Gupta, MD (Medicine), FICP, FCSI, FACP, FIACM, Teaching Faculty, AIIMS, Bathinda, Punjab advises people to maintain indoor air quality by reducing house pollutants, dust mites, pet danders, etc. by cleaning the home regularly and using air filters.
Can air purifiers help protect my lungs?
Many researchers say that air purifiers help people with conditions such as allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, COPD, and other respiratory diseases. Some of the advantages of using an air purifier include:
Alleviation of allergy and asthma symptoms: Air purifiers reduce the allergens that cause allergy and asthma by removing pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
Removes respiratory problems: It enhances easy breathing in cases of disorders like COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema.
It protects from airborne diseases: It reduces the spread of viruses and bacteria by catching them in the filter. Also, it improves sleep as cleaner air promotes high-quality sleep free from congestion and irritation.
It prevents bad smell: Properly removes bad smells, mostly as a result of cookery, pets, smoke, etc. It also limits exposure to pollutants such as VOCs, and particulate matter.
Dr Muhammed Anas Ayoob, Pulmonologist, NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE says, “Air filters help maintain indoor air quality. However, one must not depend on it as a form of treatment. Also, along with the use of air filters, remember to clean your house regularly, and minimise the use of indoor pollutants such as cigarette smoking and cooking smoke. Maintain good ventilation in your home for the best results.”
Using an air filter develops a healthier indoor atmosphere. It provides a cleaner and fresher environment to all people in the home. Along with the use of air purifiers, it is also important to adopt healthy habits like wearing face masks, cleaning the home and avoiding indoor air pollutants like smoke from cooking and smoking.
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