Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, Consultant, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad talks about air pollution and how we can protect ourselves from its harmful effects.
Harmful effects of Smog:
- Can lead to the onset of allergies or aggravate already existing allergies and decrease in Lung Immunity
- Might be instrumental in causing premature birth
- Cause decrease in the lung function in all age groups
- Might aggravate pre-existing lung and cardiac functions along with uncontrollable or chronic coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
Preventive measures:
- People should avoid going outdoors along with doing physical activities like cycling, jogging or any other outdoor exercises.
- N95 masks should be used if it is absolutely necessary to go out.
- Air Purifying plants such as Aloe Vera, Ivy and Spider Plant can be placed in the home and offices.
- To ensure that indoor air pollution does not take place make sure there is a chimney in the kitchen and an exhaust in the bathroom.
- Consume Fruits rich in Vitamin C, Magnesium , Foods rich in Omega Fatty Acids
- Have Herbal Ginger & Tulsi tea
Air pollution poses a major health risk and can cause stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases. According to the WHO, 92% of the world’s population lives in areas where the air quality is below the WHO standards. 88% of premature deaths occur in the low- and middle-income countries, where air pollution is escalating at an alarming rate. According to UNICEF, 1 in 7 children are breathing polluted air. Governments and civil society bodies need to join hands to fight air pollution in a systematic and strategic manner.