29 April,2009 08:37 AM IST | | Soma Das
Research suggests air pollution can up chances of pregnant women delivering underweight babies. iTALK finds how it can send your daily life for a toss Commuters in Mumbai are resorting to a cover-up. pic/ Pradeep Dhivar
The black clouds of pollution are difficult to escape. There is some form of pollution everywhere, be it on the road where you can hear the incessant honking (sound pollution), motorbikes and cars spewing toxic fumes containing carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide (air pollution) as well as polluted food and water, laced with pesticides.
Air pollution
Dr Juthika Sheodem, ENT Surgeon, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, says that air pollution can lead to Nasal Polyps, Allergic Rhinitis, Laryngitis and even Bronchitis over the long run. Risk is higher if you stay near a road construction site or travel by road through heavy traffic.
"Air pollution often leads to allergic reactions, where the immune system reacts to the inhaled toxins and the body produces antibodies to combat them. But sometimes, the toxins are more aggressive and consequently, the bodyu00a0 suffers from allergic reactions. Also, the dust and fumes on the road can cause as well as aggravate asthma," she states.
The symptoms of this condition are nasal blocking, sneezing, headaches, chronic coughing and a sore throat. If they last for more than two weeks, be sure to get checked for allergies and opt for anti-allergic treatments.
Sheodem advises that people wear masks or wrap a scarf around their face covering their nose to avoid directly inhaling the fumes and dust.
Noise pollution
Any noise above 80 decibels is harmful for the ears. "The average honking on the road easily reaches 90 decibels and can damage the hair cells present in the ear as well as lead to Tinnitis (ringing in the ears)u00a0 and eventual deafness," states Sheodem. Research shows that a burst of noise, such as from a passing truck, can alter endocrine, neurological, and cardiovascular functions in many individuals. You can protect yourself by wearing ear plugs and ear mufflers. If you are travelling by car, you can keep the windscreen up to drown out the outside noise.
Pollution harmful to babies in womb: Study
Researchers in the United States suggested that exposure to pollution during pregnancy could harm babies. The researchers stated that traffic emissions during early and late pregnancy and residence near a roadway during pregnancy, may affect foetal growth. According to the study, there was significant increase in likelihood of delivering underweight babies with each rise in pollution level, during the first three months and final three months of pregnancy.
Pollution can scr'w up your looks
Daxna Sawant, Beauty Consultant, Ankur
Dust particles and petrol fumes create a layer on the surface of your skin and enter through the pores. Such pollution can cause hair to become dry and brittle, and your skin to develop black spots and pigmentation.
What you can do?
>>Take half a teaspoon of oats and curd and add 2 drops of lemon in it. Gently massage the skin with it, keep for 5 minutes and then wash away.
>>If you suffer from pimples, take a bunch of neem leaves, a few drops of lime and the skin of bitter gourd (karela). Mix them thoroughly and apply as a face pack to the skin. Keep for 5 minutes and wash away.
>>Go for a face massage / face scrub twice a week.
>>To remove skin tan, take a teaspoon of honey, add 2 drops of lime and apply on the skin. Keep for 5 minutes and wash away.
>>To prevent pigmentation, apply a UV sunblock.
...your fertility
Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai Consultant Gynaecologist, Lilavati and Jaslok Hospitals
Pollution can lead to Intra Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), where the foetus is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy. Chemicals and pesticides present in food and water (in high amounts) can cause abnormalities and even lead to miscarriage. Pollution and smoking can also affect a man's fertility and lead to a lower sperm count.
...your diet
Khushboo Sahijwani Nutritionist
Fruits and vegetables contain pesticides, E. Coli bacteria and fungi, which can cause diseases. Washing fruits and veggies before eating does not get rinse out all the harmful chemicals completely. Consuming such foodstuffs lead to abdominal pain, cough, diarrhoea and irregular bowel movement. The most common sources of pesticides are apples, potato, pears and strawberries.
