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Respiratory diseases are no longer confined to smokers or those with known medical vulnerabilities. Increasingly, doctors across Indian cities are seeing patients with persistent cough, wheezing, and breathlessness who have never smoked a cigarette in their lives. The culprit, they say, lies in the very air we breathe.
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“Pollution is everywhere. Traffic smoke, dust from construction, exhaust fumes, all irritate the lungs. I see this every day in my clinic,” said Roshan Kumar, consultant pulmonologist at V.S. Hospitals, Chennai. “Children are hit harder because their lungs are still growing. Older people, too, since their lungs are already weak. And people outside all day — drivers, traffic police, roadside vendors, they suffer the most.”
Benhur Joel Shadrach, consultant in interventional pulmonology and sleep medicine at Rela Hospital, Chennai, added that urban pollution exposes people to noxious particles such as PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. “The most vulnerable are children, the elderly, and those with existing lung diseases including asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung disease,” he said.
The hidden threat indoors
While outdoor air quality dominates headlines, doctors stress that indoor pollutants are equally dangerous, especially in low-income households. Cooking smoke from biomass fuels such as firewood or kerosene is a major risk. “Women inhale this for hours, and children around them also breathe it in. It causes repeated chest infections and long-term lung damage,” said Dr. Kumar.
Mould, which thrives in damp walls after monsoons, is another concern. “Spores trigger allergic reactions and worsen asthma. In genetically susceptible individuals, chronic exposure can even cause conditions like hypersensitivity pneumonitis,” explained Dr. Shadrach.
Climate change and social conditions
Experts also pointed out that climate change is aggravating respiratory health problems. Hotter summers, poor air circulation, and prolonged allergy seasons mean that patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis suffer for more months in the year. Floods and cyclones leave homes damp, fuelling mould growth. “This is not a future problem. It is happening now,” said Dr. Kumar.
Dr. Shadrach noted that rising humidity can dry out airway secretions and make breathing harder. “Changes in weather fragment pollen into smaller particles, which penetrate deeper into the lungs. That makes allergic conditions more severe.”
Respiratory health is closely tied to living standards. Families with cramped housing, poor ventilation, and limited access to clean fuel face a higher burden of disease. “If you can’t afford LPG, you end up using firewood or kerosene. That’s like smoking every day,” said Dr. Kumar. “Many delay coming to hospital because of cost, and by then lungs are already damaged.”
Dr. Shadrach added that overcrowding, damp homes, exposure to pet dander or bird droppings, and proximity to industries all worsen respiratory risks.
Need for better lung care
On the policy front, experts acknowledge some progress. LPG distribution schemes have reduced smoke exposure for women, while bans on smoking in public places have curbed passive smoke inhalation. “Rules on vehicle emissions, planting trees and promoting clean cooking fuel do make a difference. But the key is continuity. One-time campaigns don’t change much,” said Dr. Kumar.
Dr. Shadrach emphasised stronger enforcement. “Scrapping older vehicles, ensuring pollution certificates, and improving cross-ventilation in homes are critical. Screening camps in communities help detect problems early.”
Experts believe that while systemic change is essential, individuals can still take steps to protect themselves. Masks during high-pollution hours, choosing quieter streets for exercise, and cleaning damp corners at home are basic measures. “The single most important step is avoiding smoking. Pollution may be hard to control, but smoking is one risk we can completely eliminate,” said Dr. Kumar.
Dr. Shadrach advised tracking air quality indices, using HEPA filters indoors, and avoiding activities like bursting crackers that worsen air pollution. “Respiratory etiquette, regular exercise, and a healthy diet also support lung function,” he said.
As India’s cities continue to grow, the air its residents breathe remains a pressing health concern. Experts warn that safeguarding lung health cannot be reduced to a matter of personal choice alone, it is inseparable from housing, urban planning, and clean energy access. And world lung day is a reminder that protecting our lungs is not just a medical necessity but a collective responsibility.
Published – October 01, 2025 02:02 pm IST
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