Answer Pink cold started in most parts of India in the morning and evening. Air pollution also increases with the onset of cold weather. First, pollution increased due to stubble burning and then the rest of the work was completed by firecrackers during Diwali.
The air quality index has crossed 200 in most parts of northern India. The AQI level has crossed 350 in most parts of Delhi. This means that the air quality is very poor. In Delhi, the situation is dangerous. This seriously harms health.
When we breathe, pollutants in the air are also absorbed into our lungs. These can enter our bloodstream and cause coughing or itchy eyes. It can also put you at risk of many respiratory and lung diseases. Sometimes it can even cause cancer. Today, new studies continually reveal that it also affects brain function.
That’s why today in ‘Sehatnama’ we will know how air pollution affects our brain health. You will also learn that-
What does the air quality index mean? Is breathing bad air like smoking cigarettes? What damage does pollution cause to our health? How can we protect ourselves from it?
Stroke is caused by air pollution
According to a recent global study published in the journal Lancet Neurology, air pollution is a major cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Air pollution has been found to be responsible for around 14% of deaths and disabilities due to subarachnoid hemorrhage in 2021. This is found to be more dangerous than smoking.
What is subarachnoid hemorrhage?
This hemorrhage affecting the brain is directly linked to the degree of cleanliness or pollution of the air we breathe. Dr. Abhilash Bansal, neurosurgeon and spine surgeon at SS Sparsh Hospital, Bengaluru, explains subarachnoid hemorrhage thus:
What does the air quality index mean?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a kind of tool that measures the cleanliness and clarity of the air. With its help, we can also estimate the damage that the air pollutants present can cause to our health.
The AQI mainly measures the concentration of five common air pollutants. This includes ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. You may have seen AQI on your cell phone or in newspapers, usually at the following numbers: 80, 102, 184, 250. What these numbers mean, see in the chart.
Understand in detail all the points given in the graph:
0-50: This air quality index can be described as good. This means that the air pollution is very less or there is no threat from that air.
51-100: This air quality is acceptable. However, certain pollutants present in this air can cause health problems in people who are very sensitive to air pollution.
101-150: People sensitive to this air (those with respiratory problems) may experience health problems. Usually it doesn’t have much effect on others.
151-200: This air can cause health problems for everyone. People sensitive to pollution can face serious health problems.
201-300: This level of air pollution is like a warning for our health. This air can have very serious effects on every person.
301-500: If air pollution increases to this extent, it may trigger emergency health conditions. This wind can have very serious effects on the entire population.
Is breathing bad air the same as smoking cigarettes?
Dr. Abhilash Sharma says breathing bad air can sometimes be more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. There are many types of chemicals, particles and carcinogens found there.
According to a study published in the famous journal BMJ, more than 21,000,000 people die every year in India due to air pollution. Around 21 lakh 80,000 people died in 2023. In this, India is second only to China, where more than 23,00,000 people die every year due to air pollution.
Air causes damage equivalent to smoking several cigarettes a day
Researcher Richard A. from the American city of Berkeley. Miller and Elizabeth Miller created an online calculator to compare air pollution to cigarette smoke.
They say if a person breathes at an AQI level of 64 for 24 hours, it’s like smoking one cigarette a day. Although this air quality is not generally considered poor, it is acceptable. Now just think that if the AQI level reaches more than 250 in cities like Delhi, it is equivalent to smoking how many cigarettes.
The simple math is that the worse the air quality, the more it’s like smoking cigarettes. See its calculation graph:
Many diseases can occur due to air pollution
Air pollution has many harmful effects on our health. As a result, the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases increases. What other diseases can be caused by this, see the chart.
How to stay safe in the face of increasing air pollution?
Dr. Abhilash Sharma advises checking the daily air pollution forecast in your area. Just by typing AQI and your city name into Google, you get the latest air quality update. If the pollution level is high, avoid exercising outdoors, i.e. in the open air. When the air is bad, do your workout only indoors. If pollution is high, don’t let your children play outside too much. Avoid traveling to high traffic areas. Air pollution is generally high there. You can use a mask when you leave the house. This will filter the air and reach you. Include as many vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables as possible in your diet. Include coriander leaves, amaranth leaves, drumstick, cabbage and turnip greens in the vegetables. These are good sources of vitamin C. In winter, fruits like Amla and orange can be included for vitamin C. Apart from this, almonds rich in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids can also be included in the diet. more -Continue to drink as much water as possible. This helps eliminate toxins from the body.
………………………….. Sehatnama – AIIMS study, the risk of diabetes increases because of pollution: PM 2.5 Inhaling is equivalent to smoking a cigarette
The World Health Organization report states that every year, 70 million people die due to air pollution worldwide. Many do not even die from bombs and munitions. …