Long-Term Air Pollution Exposure Linked to Severe Health Risks for Children, Warn Experts
New Delhi: Long-term exposure to air pollution is causing severe harm to children’s lung health, significantly increasing the risk of respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis, as well as lung cancer, experts warned on Friday. The warning comes as Delhi-NCR's air quality remained at hazardous levels for the third consecutive day.
On Friday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached a severe level of 409, with readings in neighbouring Haryana and Uttar Pradesh cities exceeding 300.
To protect children, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced that all primary schools in the city would switch to online classes. “The online classes for primary school children will continue until further directions,” she said in a post on X.
Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution’s harmful effects, which can increase their long-term risk of lung diseases, including cancer.
“While lung cancer is rare in childhood, polluted air containing toxic particles like carbon compounds and heavy metals can damage the cells lining their respiratory tracts. This exposure often leads to chronic conditions like asthma and bronchitis, which are alarmingly common in urban areas,” said Dr Nithin SG, Consultant, Medical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, to IANS.
He added, “Over time, repeated damage and inflammation from pollutants may set the stage for serious lung diseases, including cancer, as they age. Reducing pollution is crucial to safeguarding children’s health and minimising their future cancer risk.”
Air pollution has transitioned from being an environmental concern to a public health emergency affecting the entire country, particularly northern India. This crisis, which peaks annually from October to December, demands immediate action.
“The impact on future generations is significant, as a child exposed to high levels of pollution may inhale the equivalent of 10 cigarettes from their very first day of life,” Dr Arvind Kumar, Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco Surgery, and Lung Transplantation at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, told IANS.
A study by the Lung Care Foundation, which conducted spirometry tests on over 3,000 children across three Delhi schools, revealed that one-third of children aged 11-17 were asthmatic, with air pollution identified as a key risk factor.
“There is a startling rise in respiratory issues around this time every year, but it’s crucial to note that pollution affects not only the lungs but all organs in the body,” Dr Kumar noted.
Experts emphasized preventive measures, including wearing face masks and avoiding outdoor activities during peak pollution hours.
"Public awareness is equally important, especially in rural areas where knowledge about lung health protection remains limited, and there is a myth that rural areas are less polluted; we are now seeing an equal number of lung cancer cases come from villages and cities," added Dr Kumar.
The experts called for a national-level effort to control air pollution, citing its widespread health impacts and the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies.
(with inputs from IANS)