Most Indian cities have experienced deteriorating air quality over the years, especially in the winter months, with several of us complaining of respiratory issues with varying degrees of severity. But it is no longer a case of just discomfort as this new study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer shows – the incidence of lung cancer is rising among those who have never smoked a cigarette in their life. Air pollution was cited as one of the prime reasons.
“The study stated that lung cancer among non-smokers is the fifth highest cause of cancer deaths worldwide now.”
The article quotes Dr Sumeet Singhania, consultant of pulmonary medicine: “Here comes this study that long-term exposure to air pollution may also cause lung cancer, even in non-smokers. The very high concentrations of pollutants like PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, etc, in India increase the risk of respiratory diseases, COPD, asthma and lung cancer.”
Quoting another pulmonologist, Dr Rahul Sharma: “..The world’s highest pollution levels are seen in some north Indian cities with PM 2.5 concentration often exceeding the safe limit whether it is winter or summer. This long-term exposure to fine particulate matter…is linked to the genetic mutation and chronic inflammation which usually leads to lung cancer…”. Sharma quotes a 2023 study published by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago which found that Delhites might lose up to 11.9 years of life expectancy due to air pollution.”
Whilst awareness of healthy lifestyles has risen in India with more people building in regular outdoor exercise as part of their daily routine, experts say air pollution might do you more harm than good if you exercise outdoors.
Not just outdoors, but as the article cites an incident where Bryan Johnson cut short a podcast inside a luxury hotel citing air pollution.
“Indoor pollutants originate from…inadequate ventilation which can trap outdoor contaminants indoors leading to extended periods of exposure, and household items such as carpets, furniture, and certain cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds, which degrade indoor air quality further…”
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