Myth or Fact: Can Air Pollution lead to Lung Cancer? Ft. Dr Peush Bajpai

In this video, Dr Peush Bajpai, HOD & Consultant Medical-Hemato Oncologist at Manipal Hospital, Delhi, sheds light on an important and alarming health concern: the link between air pollution and lung cancer.

Drawing from extensive scientific research conducted in the UK, Taiwan, and other Asian countries, Dr Bajpai explains how air pollution, specifically exposure to PM2.5 particulate matter, poses serious risks to lung health.

PM2.5 refers to tiny particles in the air that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller. Due to their size, these particles bypass the natural defence mechanisms of our body, such as nostril hair and mucosal secretions, and travel deep into the lungs.

Once there, they cause damage at the cellular level, leading to DNA mutations in the lung tissue. These mutations are now recognized as precursors to lung cancer, marking a strong connection between air pollution and this life-threatening disease.

Dr Bajpai further discusses how PM2.5 alters the lung mucosa, highlighting findings from various studies that have provided solid evidence linking air pollution to genetic changes that initiate lung cancer.

The grease-like particles in polluted air are especially harmful, as they cause persistent changes and mutations that set the stage for cancer development.

He offers a comprehensive perspective on the dangers of air pollution and emphasizes the need for awareness and preventive measures. With air quality deteriorating globally, understanding its impact on our health is more crucial than ever.