Respiratory diseases, cancer risk… how much damage is pollution causing to your lungs?
Rising pollution in Delhi is not only increasing respiratory diseases but also increasing the risk of cancer. According to experts, polluted air causes irritation and inflammation in the airways, which reduces lung function.
Dr. Sandeep Sharma explained that pollution is very harmful to your lungs. He said that CT scans and chest X-rays typically reveal lung conditions.
He added that fine particles like PM 2.5 present in the air are reaching deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of not only respiratory diseases but also cancer.
Lungs are not working optimally
Dr. Sandeep said that the damage pollution is doing to your lungs can be understood by noting that an AQI level of around 300 is equivalent to smoking 15 to 20 cigarettes a day. Polluted air causes irritation and inflammation in the airways, which reduces lung function.
a home to serious illnesses
Lung damage further increases the risk of serious diseases. For example, in cities like Delhi, pollution is increasing the incidence of lung cancer even among non-smokers. The number of lung cancer cases in India is projected to reach approximately 81,200 by 2025.
Pollution has increased hospitalizations for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Furthermore, pollution can permanently stunt lung development in children and worsen existing respiratory conditions in the elderly.
Delhi Pollution