Dr Manish Singhal - The best Cancer Specialist in Delhi
Air Pollution - Feeding Your Cancer Cells
EXTREME OF EVERYTHING IS BAD!
This very common saying has a very important role in our life, which tells about the negativities of those situations when something goes beyond its limits. What perfectly relates to this saying nowadays is, uncontrollably increasing air pollution. And when it comes to India, things are considerably getting worst.
A review by ministry of health and family welfare of around 500 types of carcinogens says that with various forms of tobacco, air pollution is among the top-most five causes of cancer in India and around 30 lakh people suffer from cancer every year in India out of which 11 lakh are new cases and the disease claims for 5 lakh lives every year.
India And China Have 50 Percent Share In World’s Air Pollution Deaths!!
The story doesn’t end here as another report says that half of the world’s air pollution deaths happen in China and India, and the situations in India may get worst in future. Coal burning is the major factor of china’s air pollution, whereas India is facing the same problem due to the practice of burning crop residues, wood, dung, and many other materials for heating and cooking.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/air-pollution-china-india/
Among the most common health hazards of air pollution are lung cancer, heart diseases, and premature ageing. These effects can be seen worldwide.
World Health Organization (W.H.O) guidelines for air quality is restricted to particulate matter of 25 microgrammes (daily) per cubic meter, but according to data collected in the month of February, New Delhi and Beijing have 1200 percent higher levels than the W.H.O air quality guidelines, i.e 300 microgrammes per cubic meter on daily basis, which is certainly an alarming situation.
It’s important to mention here that particulate matter is a sum total of solid and liquid particles that are suspended in the air. Many of these suspended particles are hazardous and this complex mixture of particles contains organic as well as inorganic particles like - smoke, pollen, dust, soot and liquid droplets.
Types Of Air Pollution
Majorly air pollution is divided into two categories – Indoor Air Pollution and Outdoor Air Pollution.
Indoor Air Pollution – It occurs due to inefficient and unhealthy cooking and heating practices like burning charcoal, crop wastes, coal, wood, dung. It creates a high level of pollutants like fine particles and carbon monoxide.
Outdoor Air Pollution – Smoke and dust released by vehicles, factories etc. comes under outdoor pollution and counts as one of the biggest factors for causing lung cancer.
There is also another type of air pollution, natural air pollution. Volcanoes, forest fires and biological decay are some sources of natural air pollution which release harmful sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and ozone.
Whatever may be the type of pollution, the result will always be dangerous. From lung cancer to skin cancer and other hazardous health ailments, air pollution is taking a big slice from our lives and what we get in return is DEATH.
An increase in cases of lung cancer in past decade in India has accelerated the stress of worry for air pollution. It accounts for around 13 percent of all cancers in India. The poisonous air around us is severely affecting our respiratory systems leading to more frightening health problems.
Now take a look at the following headlines –
Alarm bells in schools, some shut as pollution levels rise in NCR (The Indian Express , 4 November 2016)
Air pollution speeds up death of lung cancer patients. (The Times Of India , Aug 5, 2016)
Is it a kind of race?? It looks as if everyone is competing to become the worst enemy of planet and their own lives. Where are we going? Why are we getting indulged in a game which wins only death for us? Undoubtedly we are in a serious need of some stringent steps to stop unmanageably increasing air pollution?
Yes some steps are taken many efforts are given but this time it should be an aggressive approach as it seems to be our last chance because if we still stay careless, we may not get a second chance!!
