Listen to Story In recent weeks, Delhi has witnessed a dangerous spike in air pollution levels, with the air quality deteriorating to "severe" levels, prompting health warnings for millions of residents. As the capital and surrounding areas grapple with hazardous levels of smog, experts are raising alarm over the long-term health consequences, particularly for individuals suffering from chronic respiratory diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD, which currently affects nearly 63 million people worldwide, is a progressive lung disease that makes breathing increasingly difficult.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution is one of the leading environmental risk factors for COPD, alongside smoking. In fact, air pollution contributed significantly to the 3.1 million deaths caused by COPD in 2021, underscoring its deadly impact.
Dr Manoj Goel, Director & Unit Head of Pulmonology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, explained that air pollution is a complex mix of harmful substances, including sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. These pollutants, which originate primarily from industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust, can have both immediate and long-term health effects. "Air pollution is not only harmful to the lungs, but it can also affect nearly every organ in the body," said Dr Goel.
"The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) found in polluted air is small enough to enter the lungs and b.
