Pollution of all kinds, whether air, water and/or sound take its toll on the human body resulting in many illnesses or aggravating existing illnesses.
In recent times, many Indian metros have come under the severely polluted category.
As the ill effects of pollution on the human body aggravate only over a period of time in most cases, preventive action is ignored and public consciousness on this is also not aroused. Hence mitigative and corrective actions from the powers that be to regulatory agencies are not firm and swift.
The medical community also needs to proactively warn people of the consequences.
To understand the ill effect on human health, The Indian Practitioner had an interaction with Dr. V. Mohan and Dr. T. A. Pramod Kumar
Their views are reproduced here.
Q 1. The Indian Practitioner (TIP) : What are the most common health issues caused by air pollution?
Dr. V. Mohan and Dr. T. A. Pramod Kumar (VM+TAP): The most common health issues caused by air pollution are respiratory conditions like bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as heart attacks and strokes. Air pollution is also linked to lung cancer and may exacerbate other pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Q 2. (TIP): How does long-term exposure to pollution impact respiratory health?
(VM+TAP): Long-term exposure to air pollutants has two main consequences on respiratory health: lung tissue destruction and chronic inflammation. This can lead to emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and an increased risk of respiratory infections. Long-term exposure also weakens the lungs, making a person more vulnerable to respiratory disorders and generally degrading their quality of life. Continued exposure to pollution may exacerbate asthma and other underlying respiratory conditions and also lead to lung cancer.
Q 3. (TIP): Can pollution contribute to cardiovascular diseases, and if so, how? Does it also aggravate diabetes?
(VM+TAP): Yes, Pollution can cause cardiovascular disease by causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood clotting, which can result in hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can travel deep into the lungs and into the circulation, triggering systemic inflammation and arterial plaque formation. We have shown (PMID: 37797962) that pollution can also cause new onset diabetes by increasing insulin resistance, decreasing insulin secretion and increasing systemic inflammation. It can also trigger its complications like cardiovascular disease eye and renal damage.
Q 4. (TIP): Are there specific pollutants that are more harmful than others?
(VM+TAP): Particulate matter is especially dangerous due to its small size, allowing it to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing widespread health effects. Ammonium is one of the specific components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that has been associated with a higher risk of death than other chemicals contained in it. The most common sources are fertilizer use andlivestock, followed by ground-level ozone, sulphate, nitrate, black carbon, mineral dust, and sea salt.
Q 5. (TIP): How does air pollution affect children’s health differently than adults?
(VM+TAP): Children’s health is more harmed by air pollution than adults’ because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, resulting in children being more susceptible to respiratory infections, asthma, and decreased lung function. Long-term exposure can lead to stunting of growth and affect their cognitive development and ability to learn. Children who are exposed to high levels of air pollution are more likely to develop chronic respiratory disorders, including stunted lung growth and reduced lung function that can linger into adulthood.
Q 6. (TIP): Are there any long-term effects of pollution exposure that we should be aware of?
(VM+TAP): Respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer, obesity, and reproductive, neurological, and immune system problems are among the public health risks connected with exposure to high levels of air pollution. The compounds are mostly responsible for respiratory problems such as COPD, asthma, and bronchiolitis, but they can also cause lung cancer, cardiovascular events, central nervous system dysfunctions, and skin diseases. Finally, climate change caused by environmental degradation has an impact on the geographical distribution of a wide range of infectious diseases and natural disasters.
Q 7. (TIP): What steps can individuals take to protect themselves from pollution-related health issues?
(VM+TAP): Individuals can protect themselves from pollution-related health hazards by avoiding outdoor activities during peak pollution periods, using indoor air purifiers, wearing masks, planting air-purifying plants, and advocating for better air rules. Making oneself aware on day to day air quality levels through local air quality indices and taking preventative actions, such as closing windows on high pollution days, can also help to decrease exposure. Additionally, using public transportation and conserving power can assist in improving overall air quality.
Q 8. (TIP): Is there a link between pollution and mental health disorders?
(VM+TAP): There is a link between pollution and mental health illnesses, with research indicating that exposure to air pollution increases the risk of anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorder and cognitive impairment. Studies suggest that these tiny particles go up the nose and be carried straight to the brain via the olfactory nerve —hence bypassing the blood–brain barrier. they don’t travel alone on theirs surfaces they carry iron and lead. Particulate matter will act as a vector. Pollutants can cause inflammatory and oxidative stress reactions in the brain, which can lead to neurological and mental problems. Chronic exposure to high pollution levels has been related to an increased risk of neuro developmental abnormalities in children and neurodegenerative diseases in adults. However, more studies are needed on this.
Q 9. (TIP): What are the latest research findings on the health effects of pollution?
(VM+TAP): According to recent studies, air pollution increases the risk of several health issues, such as adverse pregnancy outcomes, higher death rates, and the aggravation of chronic illnesses. As per the 2017 Lancet Commission’s report on the health and pollution. Low-income and middle-income countries account for over 90% of deaths caused by pollution. According to the World Health Organization, there were 2 million premature deaths globally in 2019. Of those deaths, 89% happened in low- and middle-income countries, with South-East Asia and the Western Pacific Region accounting for the majority of those casualties.
In recent studies in the The Center for cardiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia (CARRS) study carried out in Delhi and Chennai in association with the Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai, a link between particle PM2.5 and incident, i.e., new onset type 2 diabetes shown. In earlier studies, a strong association with hypertension was also shown by the CCDC group. More recently, effects on dyslipidaemia have also been shown from our group. Thus, it is clear that the health effects of pollution are widespread and not just confined to the lungs.
Q 10. (TIP): Can you explain how heavy metals in the environment affect human health?
(VM+TAP): Lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic exposure in the environment can have detrimental effects on health, including neurological impairment, developmental issues in children, renal damage, and various kinds of malignancies. Toxic metals that plants absorb leave chemical residues on produce that is sold, which can trigger mutagenesis reactions and cause cancer in humans. These residues can cause mutagenesis reactions. These metals have the potential to accumulate in the body over time and result in long-term health issues. For example, exposing to lead may experience delays in development and cognitive impairments and lead nerve palsy while children exposed to mercury may experience neurological effects and impairments in motor and cognitive functioning.
Q 11. (TIP): What role does pollution play in the rise of chronic diseases?
(VM+TAP): According to WHO estimates, ischemic heart disease and stroke accounted for about 37% of premature deaths linked to outdoor air pollution in 2019, while acute lower respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease accounted for 18% and 23% of deaths, respectively, and respiratory tract cancer accounted for 11% of deaths. Growing rates of illness and death have been linked to the detrimental impacts of air pollution. The components and sources of pollutants vary across nations, seasons, and time periods, and these factors affect the health effects of air pollution. As pointed out earlier, pollution has also now been linked to new onset type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes Specialities Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation.
Scientist at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, specializing in glycemic variability, early interventions, and surrogate biomarkers.