How Air Pollution Affects Our Health?
Pollutants in the air are so fine that they enter our bloodstream as we breathe. They can easily enter the respiratory tract or any part of the body. The viruses and bacteria in these fine particles often interfere with the body functioning, causing different illnesses. Some people experience short-term problems like chest congestion, allergies, coughing, nausea, etc. However, with prolonged exposure to pollutants, air pollution diseases can become long-term and severe.
How is Air Quality Measured?
Air quality is measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which is based on the levels of key pollutants present in the air. To calculate the AQI, concentrations of several air pollutants, such as PM2.5, PM10, benzene, ozone, nitrogen oxide, etc., are measured in real-time and converted into a single figure.
The AQI range is between 0 and 500. An AQI below 50 is considered good, implying good air quality, and values above 100 indicate unhealthy air levels. An AQI of 300 or above is considered dangerous.
When considering AQI in India, Delhi is typically regarded as the city with the worst air quality, with an AQI in the ‘severe’ range, especially at the beginning of winter. Hence, Delhiites and people from nearby should keep a tab on the AQI in Delhi NCR to ensure they are able to take preventive measures in a timely manner. Other Indian states with high AQI (poor quality) include Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
Short-term Effect of Air Pollution & High AQI
An increased AQI can cause immediate discomfort and lead to short-term health problems. You can feel the impact of air pollution in the form of the following symptoms:
- Severe headache
- Eye irritation and redness
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Chronic mucus and cough
- Acute respiratory infections
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and dizziness
- Skin allergies
How High AQI Impacts Health in the Long-term?
In the long term, air pollution can lead to a weakened immune system. Diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fertility issues, and even organ damage can occur due to high air pollution or a high AQI. The most common air pollutant diseases that can get worse with the increased AQI include the following:
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Cardiovascular Diseases
Prolonged exposure to air pollution can lead to inflammation and damage to blood vessels, putting your heart health at risk. This is due to the presence of toxic substances, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and PM2.5.
Let us see how air pollution affects heart health. An increased AQI means more pollutants can enter your bloodstream. It can lead to inflammation, resulting in reduced blood supply to the heart or arterial damage. Pollutants can cause fluctuations in blood pressure, leading to irregular heart rhythm. It can also harden the arteries and increase the risk of strokes and heart failure.
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Cancer
Air pollution and cancer are directly related, especially lung cancer and breast cancer in women. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the outdoor air as a Group 1 carcinogen (especially due to materials like benzene). Breathing in these carcinogens and small particles over a period of time can lead to mutations in cells, hence increasing the risk of different types of cancer.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Air pollutants can cause chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These conditions affect the respiratory system by damaging air sacs, resulting in breathing difficulties. High air pollution and increased AQI can worsen COPD by interfering with lung functioning.
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Lung Infections
Respiratory problems are the most common AQI diseases people experience. It is because inhaling more infectious air means more bacteria and viruses reach the lungs, damaging the respiratory tract. This can cause acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI), like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
If viruses and bacteria persist in the lungs for a long time, they can lead to severe, long-term lung infections and a weakened immune system.
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Asthma
The more the pollution in the air, the worse it is for asthma patients. High AQI worsens asthma conditions as it directly impacts the lungs and airways, making it more difficult for them to handle their medical condition. It can lead to constant coughing and shortness of breath.
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Neurological Disorders
Air pollution has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The PM2.5 pollutant is also associated with an increased risk of dementia. Hence, increased AQI can interfere with brain function, resulting in problems with memory, reduced cognitive abilities, and other neurological risks.
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Skin Diseases
High air pollution often irritates skin and causes diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Harmful substances in the air can sit on the skin’s surface and result in dryness, itching, rashes, pimples, allergies and inflammation.
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Gastrointestinal Disorders
Increased air pollution is also a key factor in gastrointestinal disorders, as toxins and pollutants can enter and disrupt the digestive system. In the short term, it can occur as abdominal pain or disorders like diarrhoea and constipation.
However, in the long run, gastrointestinal diseases due to air pollution can become severe and cause conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and ulcerative colitis. If not treated adequately, it can even become life-threatening.
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Leukameia
Leukaemia is a type of cancer where the body starts to produce abnormally high white blood cells that are faulty and impede the functioning of healthy cells. This can lead to anemia, bleeding and even organ damage. An increased AQI means your body is more exposed to toxic chemicals and pollutants which can interfere with the functioning of the blood cells.
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Birth Defects
Your body is more sensitive in pregnancy. Long exposure to air pollutants harms the expectant mother as well as the developing baby. This can lead to cellular damage or epigenetic disruptions in the developing fetus and complications like preterm delivery, low birth weight, etc.
How Health Insurance Can Help in Diseases Caused by High AQI?
Recent studies have shown that health insurance claims often rise significantly with the worsening of AQI. This is due to the rise in air pollution-related diseases. This also suggests that health insurance can help alleviate the financial burden in cases of diseases caused by air pollution. It also allows the insured to avail of cashless treatment through its network of hospitals. Standard health insurance plan cover diseases that can worsen due to air pollution, including asthma, cardiovascular diseases, severe gastrointestinal disorders and COPD.
Health insurance helps by covering the medical expenses incurred on respiratory and cardiac illnesses caused by air pollution. It provides a financial safety net by covering hospitalization expenses, including pre- and post-hospitalization costs, diagnostic test expenses and day care treatments required in such cases. You can also purchase optional riders for OPD and critical illness, if needed, for wider coverage. It also allows the insured to avail of cashless treatment through its network of hospitals.
Final Verdict
Air pollution is an often-overlooked global problem that can lead to various short-term as well as long-term, life-threatening diseases. From mild cough and eye irritation to neurological disorders, sore throat to asthma and even lung cancer – all can be caused by air pollution.
However, with the right precautions, many of these illnesses can be prevented. Being aware of the air pollution diseases and their effects is the first key step. You must then look forward to investing in comprehensive health insurance plans or those that cater to specific diseases to keep yourself financially secure. If you experience symptoms over a period of time, you should not overlook them and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
