A research conducted by a team of industry experts, a renowned oncologist and an experienced cardiologist suggests - Air pollution, caused mainly due to exhaust of vehicles in densely populated cities, has a serious and life-threatening effect on health.
The research studied the effect on lungs and heart of the people who are subjected to continual exposure to particulate matter PM2.5 that has diameter less than 2.5 micrometers and particulate matter PM10 that has diameter less than 10. It was found that air pollution multifolds the possibility of having lung cancer, even though if the pollution levels are under recommended guidelines. This means that a person can get lung cancer, simply because of the where he lives. With every increase of 5 mgm per cm increase in PM2.5, the possibility of getting lung cancer increased by a whooping 18% and every 10 mgm per cm increase of PM10 increased the risk of lung cancer by 22%. These shocking numbers estimated that people subjected to exposure of PM2.5 and PM10, developed lung cancer in long term, typically over an average life span of 13 years of continuous exposure.
The other shocking effect that was observed was on heart. The data showed air pollution increased the risk of cardiovascular disease in short term. The cardiologist estimated that any reduction in air pollution could considerably reduce the number of cases of coronary artery disease and lower healthcare costs.
Governments has taken major steps to reduce the air pollution levels in densely populated cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai, Kolkata. Strong bills have been passed in the parliament to curb air pollution at industrial levels. However, citizen will have to step in and take responsibility in reducing air pollution due to vehicular traffic.
The research studied the effect on lungs and heart of the people who are subjected to continual exposure to particulate matter PM2.5 that has diameter less than 2.5 micrometers and particulate matter PM10 that has diameter less than 10. It was found that air pollution multifolds the possibility of having lung cancer, even though if the pollution levels are under recommended guidelines. This means that a person can get lung cancer, simply because of the where he lives. With every increase of 5 mgm per cm increase in PM2.5, the possibility of getting lung cancer increased by a whooping 18% and every 10 mgm per cm increase of PM10 increased the risk of lung cancer by 22%. These shocking numbers estimated that people subjected to exposure of PM2.5 and PM10, developed lung cancer in long term, typically over an average life span of 13 years of continuous exposure.
The other shocking effect that was observed was on heart. The data showed air pollution increased the risk of cardiovascular disease in short term. The cardiologist estimated that any reduction in air pollution could considerably reduce the number of cases of coronary artery disease and lower healthcare costs.
Governments has taken major steps to reduce the air pollution levels in densely populated cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai, Kolkata. Strong bills have been passed in the parliament to curb air pollution at industrial levels. However, citizen will have to step in and take responsibility in reducing air pollution due to vehicular traffic.
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