World Asthma Day: How To Keep Your Lungs Safe Amid Rising Air Pollution

Last Updated:May 06, 2025, 10:25 IST

Air pollution leads to recurrent lung infections, decline in lung function in children and young adults, chronic respiratory symptoms.

Avoid using tobacco to keep your lungs healthy.

Air is a basic necessity for us human beings. We breath approximately 10,000 litres of air every day. Fresh air is composed of 78 per cent nitrogen, 20.95 per cent oxygen and >2 per cent of other components like argon, co2, water vapour etc. Our earth’s natural atmosphere is modified by chemical, physical and other biological agents leading to air pollution. Sources of air pollution are dust, construction , waste burning, transport, diesel generator, industries, firecrackers, particulate matter and gaseous pollutants. Indoor air pollution is also rising contributed by biomass fuel use, house dust, animal dander, mold, use of incents and insect/rodent repellants.

Small airborne particles are called Particulate Matter [PM]. The smaller particles [PM2.5] are the most dangerous and can get into the lungs and even to the blood. They are produced by combustion of particles, compounds, and smoke.

The respiratory system is very close to the environment. Any change in the environment can directly affect the lungs. Air pollution leads to recurrent lung infections, decline in lung function in children and young adults, chronic respiratory symptoms which affect quality of life and increase the incidence of lung diseases like asthma, COPD, ILD and cancer.

India is the third most polluted country in the world. At least 98 per cent of the people in India live in areas with polluted air. Controlling air pollution is the need of the hour. Staying safe from pollution is important, however, reducing air pollution is necessary for a better future.

How To Keep Yourself Safe Amid Rising Air Pollution

The first thing we need to do is control source of air pollution by using public transport, recycling and reusing, avoiding burning of garbage, choosing energy efficient appliances, using alternate energy sources like solar power and above all, planting more trees and plants. To minimise exposure to pollutants, air purifiers, masks and nose shields can be used.

We can keep a check on Air Quality Index (AQI) report of our locality. If the AQI is <50, the air quality is considered satisfactory. Avoid and minimise outdoor activities when AQI is high to reduce exposure to pollutants.

Other steps to take are

• Avoid the use of tobacco products.
• Avoid using scented candles/incents.
• Keep your house and premises clean.
• Prevent mold growth by controlling humidity at home.
• If you are suffering from chronic lung disease, continue the treatment as advised by your treating doctor. Discontinuing medication can lead to exacerbation of asthma, COPD and ILD. Exacerbations increase disease related mortality and morbidity.
• Annual flu vaccination should not be missed.
• Improve general heath – consume healthy food, continue regular exercise.

Air pollution is a silent killer. The ways to reduce air pollution are simple, however, a combined effort is required to save our planet from rising pollution.

Dr Aswathy Thazhakottuvalappil is a consultant with the Department of Respiratory Medicine at KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvananthapuram.

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