Long term health hazards of being exposed to Delhi's toxic air pollution

There seems to be no respite from the brutality of air pollution in Delhi NCR. Despite the hazardous air quality, daily life in the region goes on, a stark contrast to the shock and concern expressed by those observing from outside. The visuals are scary and are suffocating just when one looks at it.

Breathing in the polluted air has become an unavoidable ordeal, with the health risks growing more alarming each day. While the pollution will clear in a few days, bringing back the regular AQI, the exposure to this toxic air will leave its footprint for a long time.

It's time we discuss the long term effects of being exposed to the toxic air of Delhi.

Review study finds short term and long term effect of pollution exposure
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research in 2019 by Indian researchers found that short-term exposures to ambient pollutants have strong associations between COPD, respiratory illnesses and

higher rates of hospital admission or visit. The long-term effects of ambient air pollution are associated with deficit lung function, asthma, heart attack, cardiovascular mortality and premature mortality.

Effect of air pollution of lungs is similar to the effect tobacco and cigarettes have
"The deteriorating air quality in Delhi is a considerable health risk that has been happening for a long time and thus, individual actions are highly important. Long-term exposure to elements with a high level of pollution will cause not only respiratory and vascular diseases but also mental health problems with intensity," said Dr (Col) S.P Rai, Consultant, Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai.

"The effect of air pollution on the people's lungs is very similar to that of several carcinogens like tobacco, cigarette, smoke and hookah smoke (sic)," said Dr. Ravi Dosi, Consultant, Pulmonary Medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore.

Complications Delhi's air pollution can make one vulnerable to
"Pollutants, such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide, are the main causes of prolonged exposure to the respiratory diseases that lead to the heart problems like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and stroke. The poor air quality is also a causative factor of the aggravation of the systemic inflammation, which may be a malfunction in the blood vessels and the heart, risks factor to the elderly and those who have diseases," explains Dr. Rai. "Major cases of such respiratory disorders include COPD, asthma, and ILD. COPD is a progressive condition that causes breathlessness, and a man thus suffer further due to exposure to emission gases and pollutants. It is a type of debilitating disorder that results from prolonged exposure to environmental toxins such as tobacco, or PM," he added.

Air pollution affects mental health
"Air pollution also lead to mental disorders like depression, and anxiety. The brain's chemical deficiency and pollution are the production of serotonin and their regulation being affected mood, in addition, it was established memory loss is a long-term factor. A low AQI might also be the cause of relapsing of mental problems due to physical health issues getting. The aged, children, and those people with the diseases that were already existing are the most exposed to these long risks," explains Dr. Rai.

"We need to protect our eyes ears nose and lungs from the effect of air pollution because chronic exposure to these pollutants can sometimes also cause irreversible changes not only in the respiratory system but also they may increase risk of vascular events in the brain and heart causing higher mortality from diseases like MI and stroke patients were having chronic lung conditions or who are suffering from hypertension diabetes cardiac diseases are very susceptible to have greater increase in problem because of excessive air pollution exposure," suggests Dr. Dosi.

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"Exposure to Delhi's poor air quality for a number of years could have serious long-term health effects. High levels of particulate matter, such as PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and other pollutants can cause chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Other problems that can occur because of increased exposure to it are cardiovascular problems, like hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. In due course of time, this polluted air may further deteriorate lung functions, especially with worsening children and the aged, as well as diabetic patients. Other studies reveal that air pollutants can cause more lung cancer cases and a rise in intellectual disability, including dementia. Pregnant women are exposed to the risk of preterm deliveries and low birth weight by babies. In addition, a certain inflammation caused by toxic air can weaken the immune system and weaken people who are more vulnerable to infectious diseases and other diseases," explains Dr. Vipul Gupta,Group Director- Neurointervention, Paras Hospital Gurugram.