Toxic Air: How air pollution can raise risk of asthma, cancer
The air quality of Delhi has come under hazardous category on Wednesday. The visibility was very poor due to the thick layer of smog. A few people complained about itchiness in the throat area. Fire from stubble has deteriorated the condition of air quality in the Delhi-NCR region and people are forced to breathe toxic air.
With the constant dip in mercury and air quality aggravating from moderate to poor to the very poor category in the national capital and its surrounding areas, the hospitals in Delhi are getting flocked by patients of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other acute respiratory illnesses.
While the health experts have been witnessing an almost 20 per cent rise in the number of such patients for the last two weeks, the influx of patients with no prior respiratory illness is also increasing with symptoms of asthma.
Moreover, the experts have warned that long term exposure to severely polluted air could also result in the development of cancer.
Desh Deepak, a pulmonologist at the Centre-run Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML), said that air pollution has been well-recognised as a cancer-causing agent. He added that air pollution is a Class 1 cancer-causing agent. It is a certified carcinogen recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO). And long-term exposure to it could turn it into cancer.
A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer. This may be due to the ability to damage the genome or because of the disruption of cellular metabolic processes.
Concurring with Deepak, Manish Sharma, medical oncologist at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, said that air pollution is directly associated with the development of lung cancer.
He stressed that, in 2013, the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) had categorised air pollution as Group 1 carcinogen for lung cancer and Group 2A for several other kinds of cancers. It means that air pollution is directly responsible for lung cancer. However, an association with other kinds such as bladder cancer, breast cancer and oesophagus cancer is probable.
Sharma also stated that air pollution is exacerbating mortality among cancer patients by a whopping 22 per cent. He pointed out that every 10 micrograms per cubic metre increased exposure to PM 2.5 leads to the risk of dying from cancer by 22 per cent.
Citing an example based on a recent study done in Hong Kong on over 66,000 Sharma said that the patients revealed that the risk of death in cancer patients getting treatment in polluted areas increases by 22 per cent in comparison to patients who receive treatment in non-polluted regions.
He added that the risk of cancer in new-borns also increases when their mothers get exposed to pollution while expecting.
Karan Madan, professor at the Department of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), observed that high level of pollution is triggering asthma among people having no pulmonary disorders.
According to his studies, the rise of PM 2.5 level is clearly linked to increased problems with lung health. We have been diagnosing patients with no pre-existing respiratory problems exhibiting symptoms of asthma and other pollution-related lung diseases. Besides, the pollution is also aggravating the severity of respiratory diseases in patients with pre-existing pulmonary illnesses.
Anil Chaudhry, a senior consultant at Rajan Babu Institute of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis (RBIPMT), said that extreme rise in pollution coinciding with winters observed these days have worsened 90 per cent of the cases with pre-existing respiratory illnesses.
Chaudhury stressed that patients with asthma and COPD do experience exacerbations in the winter. Changes in temperature and humidity contribute to seasonal infections. Further, air pollution is also a major threat. Patients already having respiratory illnesses are at the receiving end of this situation (air pollution). Their complications have aggravated.
Meanwhile, Deepak informed that the hospitals are receiving up to 20 per cent rise in patients suffering from chronic respiratory illnesses. In his statement, he wrote that it is an annual feature where the footfall of patients with existing lung and respiratory disease increases in the hospitals. However, the general practitioners working at community levels could witness more number of patients.
Of the many triggers of asthma and lung cancer in the environment, air pollution is one of the most important factors that can be legislated and regulated. Here are some of the tips to stay safe during air pollution.
Well, now that you know how important it is to breathe good quality air and how to make sure that the air around you is not toxic. Following the simple and easy tips mentioned above can help you and your lungs to a great extent in keeping you safe from the harmful effects of air pollutants and thus stay safe from asthma and cancer diseases. Also, it is recommended to stay indoors as much as you can if you have kids, or a pregnant woman, or someone who is suffering from severe breathing issues. Apart from these, as an educated citizen of the country, help yourself and everyone else breathe easier by adopting green initiatives. Plant more green trees, quit smoking, and reduce the use of public transportation whenever possible. Only together can we ensure our country stays safe and clean. After all, your life and the life of your loved ones may depend on it.
(With inputs from Agencies)
