WHO found that Indians breathe air with high levels of pollutants, leading to severe health issues. How can we deal with this?

India, a land of diverse cultures, is growing rapidly through industrialization and urbanization. This brings up a serious concern: pollution. Pollution affects us in ways you can’t even imagine. It has an enormous impact on the environment and human health. Air pollution tops it off by affecting 7 million premature casualties per year.?

A report by the World Bank states that Indians face unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5, the most dangerous pollutant. It creates a huge impact on health and the country’s economy. Additionally, they say that exposure to PM 2.5 can cause deadly diseases like lung cancer, kidney and liver disease, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.?

India’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is currently 5.2 times over, as written in the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). This creates an alarming and devastating situation in the country. WHO also claims that Indians breathe high levels of pollutants, which leads to severe health issues.?

NCDs, or noncommunicable diseases, are a major cause of global mortality. Globally, it contributes towards 74% of all the deaths. Air pollution is the second major cause of death, bestowing 80% of NCD deaths.?

While talking about pollution, air or outdoor pollution is not the only one affecting livelihood; household pollution affects equally. The pollutants in household pollution can affect the lungs, heart, and other body organs. According to a 2020 report by WHO, household pollution contributes to 3.2 million deaths per year worldwide. WHO has set a guideline for preventing the risk and mortality rate.??

WHO says that the health effects and risks of outdoor (ambient) and household air pollution are similar because of their identical pollutant compositions, which may lead to negative health effects.?

With Diwali passing, a layer of smog has engulfed northern India. Experts say more people die from air pollution than from malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Seeing the worsening condition, the Government of India (GOI) established the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 to resolve deteriorating air quality.?

People are blaming firecrackers for severe air pollution and smog. But are firecrackers the only cause of pollution and its health effects??

Cause and Effects of Pollution?

Air, water, and noise pollution are major pollutants affecting human health. Here is a breakdown of their causes and effects.?

Air Pollution

1. Burning of the Fossil Fuel: Coal and oil are two fossil fuels when burned from a toxic layer in the air. This air can severely deteriorate your heart’s functioning, leading to various respiratory issues.?
2. Usage of Chemicals and Vehicles: Vehicle pollution is common and irresistible. At the same time, chemicals in products create harmful air, which leads to smog, health issues, and organ failure.?
3. Wildfires: Wildfires occur because of climate change, which damages the environment and human health. They may lead to respiratory diseases, such as difficulty breathing.?
4. Open burning of Waste: Waste burning is common in India. Delhi, India’s capital, has an area for open garbage burning, where 9,500 tons of waste is burned daily. This can cause various health issues, such as liver disease, a weak immune system, respiratory problems, and reproductive functioning.?

Water Pollution

1. Eutrophication occurs when huge amounts of nutrients are brought into the body, forcing a rapid growth of algae. It can make breathing difficult and reduce oxygen levels.?
2. Wastewater: Some people put waste directly into the water, polluting water bodies. Delhi’s Yamuna River is the biggest living example of water pollution. It spoils the soil, pollutes groundwater, and affects human health.?
3. Industrial Waste: Industrial waste is dumped into water bodies, which increases water temperature and reduces oxygen levels. Experts found that PFOS and PFOA are two pollutants that textile and metal industries release.?

Noise Pollution?

Environmental and artificial noise pollution are the two worst causes of pollution. Construction, vehicle honking, and industrialization are some examples of artificial noise pollution, while thunderstorms are a form of environmental noise pollution. From headaches to vision, noise pollution can lead to various health issues.?

Pollution is hazardous in every way. Research by the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health at Boston College, the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found that air pollution caused an economic loss of $36.8 billion and 1.67 million deaths in 2019.?

A study by the Lancet in 2019 found that around 40 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), or almost 11.5% of the total DALYs population, are lost because of air pollution. Another study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that India’s life expectancy has fallen by 2.6 years due to air pollution.?

The Boston College professor says, "Pollution takes an enormous human toll in India.” But is it hazardous for everyone? Let’s look at who is at high risk.?

People at Risk?

Pollution can impact every human health. However, some are at higher risk. These are:?

1. Infants?
2. Children?
3. Senior citizens?
4. Pregnant women
5. People above 65?
6. People with specific lung diseases
7. People who spent most of their time on the road (outside)?
8. People with cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
9. People living in poverty
10. People with less exposure to healthcare facilities?

More than 500 studies were conducted on air pollution's impact on human health in India. Correct preventive measures can reduce the risk of pollution on heart health.?

The Government of India has taken firm steps focusing on expanding renewable energy, LPG cooking fuel, and electric vehicles.?

In 2020, the GOI set a budget of $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over the next five years, with 42 cities reducing their air pollution levels by 15% annually.?

How Can Redcliffe Labs Help??

Redcliffe Labs is India’s trusted diagnostic lab, providing quality diagnostics for every Indian. With timely diagnostic testing, one can monitor one's health and understand the source of pollution. The smog formed in the air, especially in northern India, gives rise to severe health conditions. This raises alarming questions about health and its management.?

Redcliffe Labs has taken the initiative with the ‘Stop Pollution Start Solution’ to bring a change towards a healthier planet. The movement encourages people to be a part of the solution rather than pollution.

Experts say that taking care of health is crucial at every step of life. Book the ‘Pollution Risk Assessment Comprehensive Package’ from Redcliffe Labs and take care of your health even after the festival. A comprehensive package called ‘Pollution Risk Assessment’ provides information about your health-related issues caused by pollution exposure.