Air pollution continues to be a global public health issue. Polluted air has a number of serious health consequences. Many deaths have been linked to the combined impacts of household and ambient air pollution all over the world.
Chronic respiratory illnesses, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, make people highly vulnerable to air pollution. Air pollution increases respiratory morbidity and mortality by causing an initial aggravation of COPD and the onset of asthma.
Majority of us take the air inside our houses for granted, believing it to be safe to breathe. People should use clean fuels and enhance stoves to burn fuel more effectively and vent emissions to the outside in order to reduce indoor air pollution. Air cleaners that effectively improve air quality are recommended.
Although the majority of indoor contaminants are the same as those found in the ambient air, there are some differences. Despite the fact that indoor air contains all of the same contaminants as outdoor air, the amounts are often lower. There are several extra components in indoor air that come from inside the structure, in addition to the same contaminants found in outdoor air. Indoor combustion of solid fuels, tobacco smoking, pollutants from construction materials and furnishings, and poor ventilation are all key contributors.
Reducing Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution
As people with COPD spend so much time indoors, improving their indoor air quality is critical. Wash your sheets frequently, keep pets off the furniture, and maintain your home’s humidity level below 50% to keep dust mites at bay
To keep yourself and your family safe, be aware of dangerous household chemicals and go for natural alternatives. Having live plants in your home isn’t only for aesthetics; it’s also good for your health, and studies show that a few houseplants can considerably reduce indoor air pollution. Air filtration equipment can also be used to improve the quality of your indoor air
COPD is characterised by an increased chronic inflammatory response to irritating particles or gases in the airways and lungs. Air contaminants, such as specific chemicals emitted by fossil fuel burning, can promote lung inflammation, worsening COPD patients’ already compromised pulmonary function. Patients with COPD who are exposed to particle pollution are more likely to attend the emergency room, be admitted to the hospital, or possibly die. Exacerbations of COPD are caused by a variety of reasons, including infection.
The health impacts of indoor air pollution are dependent on the pollutants’ components and sources, which vary by country, season, and time. Even Indoor air pollution can affect people with COPD or asthma, in particular, should be aware of the air quality and take extra precautions to reduce the negative effects of pollution.
The writer is a Consultant – Pulmonology, Intensive Care, Allergy and Immunology at Manipal Hospital, Gurugram.