Air Pollution Health Risks: Nowadays air pollution has become the biggest threat to health. In India, maximum air pollution is seen in Delhi-NCR. Every year in winter, the air of Delhi becomes so bad that even breathing becomes difficult. At present, due to pollution, many people are leaving Delhi and moving to other cities. Pollution has made the air so poisonous that it is badly affecting our body and causing many serious diseases. Earlier it was believed that air pollution causes damage only to the lungs, but health experts clearly say that it can damage many parts of the body. Now pollution is not limited to just difficulty in breathing or cough.
Most dangerous for lungs
Dr. Bhagwan Mantri, former pulmonologist of Moolchand Hospital, New Delhi, told StuffUnknown That air pollution has a bad effect on most of the body parts. Its greatest impact is on the lungs. The lungs have to face the most dangerous elements present in the air. Very small particles like PM2.5 and PM10 present in the air accumulate in the lungs and cause inflammation. Due to this, the risk of breathlessness, asthma, bronchitis and lung infection increases manifold. In people living in polluted air for a long time, the lung capacity gradually decreases. Toxic air can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
Poisonous air is also dangerous for the heart
Told the doctor that air pollution is not only a big enemy of the breath but also of the heart. The toxic elements present in pollution dissolve in the blood and cause swelling in the arteries, which increases blood pressure and puts more load on the heart. Many researches have revealed that polluted air increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart disease. Especially for people who already have BP or heart problems, even light pollution can prove dangerous.
Pollution can weaken memory
Neurologists say that poisonous air also affects the brain. Nano-particles present in the air reach the brain through the blood and damage the neurons. This may weaken the memory. Apart from this, problems like mood swings, stress, irritability and migraine may increase. The risk of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s also increases in people living in polluted air for a long time.
Skin problems increase due to toxic air
Dermatologists say that air pollution takes away the natural glow of the skin. Dust, smoke and toxic particles clog the skin pores, which increases the problems of acne, allergies, rashes and pigmentation. Air pollution accelerates cell damage, due to which the skin starts looking loose and aging prematurely. Prolonged exposure to pollution can increase the risk of skin inflammation and even skin cancer.
It also has a bad effect on the eyes
According to eye doctors, the eyes are in direct contact with every particle present in the air. Because of this, the strongest impact of air pollution is visible in them. Symptoms like redness of eyes, burning sensation, watering and allergic conjunctivitis are seen due to poisonous air. Due to continuous exposure to pollution, the moisture in the eyes starts decreasing, which increases the risk of dry eyes and damage to the cornea. Smoke and chemicals can also affect eyesight.
Avoid air pollution at all costs
According to health experts, air pollution poses a threat not to any one part of the body, but to all the organs. Therefore, use a mask while going out of the house, use air purifiers at home, spend less time outside, plant indoor plants and take a healthy diet. If possible, leave polluted areas for a few months and move to clean places. We cannot change the air completely, but we can definitely protect ourselves from its dangers.
