Lancet study links alarming mortality rates to poor air quality: 12 strategies to combat country’s air pollution crisis

A recent study published in Lancet Planetary Health shed light on alarming air quality in 10 major Indian cities, revealing around 33,000 deaths annually are linked to air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The study analysed data from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi between 2008 and 2019.

Dr Bhargav Krishna, fellow at the Sustainable Futures Collaborative and a lead author of the study, emphasised the widespread nature of this issue. He said, “The results of this first-of-its-kind multi-city study show us that reducing air pollution is a nationwide challenge. Our analyses highlight air pollution’s substantial effects on mortality even in cities previously considered less polluted, such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai.”

While large-scale policy changes are crucial for long-term improvement, individuals aren’t powerless in the face of this crisis. Here are some practical, personal-level strategies that residents of these polluted urban areas can implement to protect their health, according to experts.

Monitor air quality and adjust outdoor activities

Dr Rahul K Jalan, consultant interventional pulmonologist at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, advocated the use of renewable energies. He stressed on the dangers of indoor air pollution. “Indoor air pollution, caused by agarbattis, dhoops, and materials generated from construction in the home and kitchen, which is harming people staying at home, should be tackled effectively.”

Dr Nana Kunjir, consultant pulmonologist and intensivist, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune, states, “Limit outdoor activities if you’re staying in highly urban and heavy traffic areas.” He recommended staying informed about air quality levels and adjusting your outdoor routines accordingly.

For fitness enthusiasts, Kate Austin, head coach at MultiFit, suggested, “Schedule your outdoor workouts for early morning or late evening when pollution levels tend to be lower.” She also recommended opting for moderate activities like walking or light jogging instead of intense exercises on high-pollution days.

Create a clean indoor environment

Dr Kunjir emphasised the importance of indoor air quality, “Use air purifiers at home to reduce indoor pollution levels. Ensure that the devices are equipped with HEPA filters to effectively capture fine particles.”

Gaurav Sanghavi, co-founder and principal architect at Pentaspace Design Studio, said, “Ensuring carpets, curtains, and air filters are well-maintained can make a significant difference. Regularly servicing air filters and utilising home automation systems can help in managing indoor air quality effectively.”

Use protective gear outdoors

“Wearing masks that are designed to filter out PM2.5 particles (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less) can provide some protection when it is necessary to be outdoors. N95 masks are particularly effective,” advised Dr Kunjir.

Improve ventilation

Dr Kunjir also suggested ensuring “proper ventilation in living spaces while keeping windows closed” during peak pollution hours. Use exhaust fans and ventilation systems to reduce indoor pollution.

Focus on indoor exercises when outdoor air quality is poor. (Source: Freepik)

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Drink plenty of water to keep the respiratory tract moist, Dr Kunjir recommended. This can help the body naturally filter out pollutants. He also advises consuming a diet “rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to combat the oxidative stress caused by pollutants.”

Regular health check-ups

“Schedule regular medical check-ups to monitor your lung health, especially for people with pre-existing conditions or those living in high-pollution areas,” said Dr Kunjir.

Be aware of early warning signs

Dr Kunjir also listed early warning signs to watch out for such as “persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, increased incidences of respiratory infections, and worsening of pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).”

Consider indoor exercise alternatives

Austin recommends focusing on indoor exercises when outdoor air quality is poor. “Treadmill workouts, stationary cycling, elliptical trainer, rowing machine exercises, and HIIT workouts can provide effective cardiovascular training indoors.”

Educate and involve the next generation

Anushree Gupta, counselling psychologist, emphasised the importance of involving children in the conversations about pollution and tackling it: “Introducing children to environment solutions can be done in the form of fun activities such as at-home composting, growing veggies from scratch in grow bags, revamping old clothes into a new outfit.”

Embrace green solutions

Hrishit Panthry, co-founder of Envirocare Foundation, shared his experience. Travelling from Indirapuram (Ghaziabad) to his place in Raj Nagar (Ghaziabad), “we noticed a stark difference in air quality due to the presence of green barriers. The air felt cooler, the environment was more comforting, and overall, it was greenly peaceful.”

Trees like neem, peepal, and banyan, he says, are known for their high pollutant absorption capacities. These trees and certain plants trap particulate matter (PM) on their leaves and branches, preventing it from circulating in the air.

Understand the impact on reproductive health

Dr Rashmi Agrawal from Nova IVF Fertility, Gurgaon warned that exposure to high levels of PM2.5 and other pollutants leads to “male and/or female infertility.” Air pollution can lead to diminished sperm quality, hormonal disruptions, and higher miscarriage risk.

Pregnant women in highly-polluted cities can minimise exposure to harmful pollutants by staying indoors during peak pollution times, using air purifiers, avoiding high-traffic areas, wearing masks in polluted places, planting trees, increasing greenery, and advocating for systemic change.

Advocate for bigger change

Anup Garg, founder and director of World of Circular Economy (WOCE), emphasised the need for broader action. “More than home modifications, human behaviour modifications are important. We must understand what we are doing to ourselves and our immediate environment.”

Khozema Chitalwala, principal architect and founder of Designers Group, said that as designers, architects, and consultants, “we need to be more responsible and responsive to environmental concerns, striving to achieve as green a footprint as possible.”

While these personal strategies can help mitigate the immediate effects of air pollution, it’s crucial to remember that this is a collective problem requiring systemic solutions. As Dr Poornima Prabhakaran, director of the Centre for Health Analytics Research and Trends at Ashoka University, pointed out, “The insights signal an urgent need to revisit our air quality management strategies that currently focus only on ‘non-attainment cities’, rethink current air quality standards accounting for the lower risk thresholds and shift from addressing regional to local sources to effectively protect human health.”

These personal strategies can help mitigate air pollution’s immediate effects,  but systemic solutions are essential. Dr. Poornima Prabhakaran, director at the Centre for Health Analytics Research and Trends at Ashoka University, stresses the need to revisit air quality management, rethink standards, and shift focus from regional to local sources to better protect human health.

Dr Jeroen de Bont, a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institute, emphasises the importance of targeting local pollution sources as efforts to combat air pollution intensify.

Professor Joel Schwartz of Harvard University said that enforcing stricter air quality standards in India could save tens of thousands of lives annually and urged the adoption of proven pollution control methods.

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