Mumbai: Ahead of Diwali, health experts warn of surge in lung ailments

Doctors say SO2, CO2, CO and suspended particulate matter released from bursting fire crackers get lodged in people’s lungs. File Pic/Ashish Raje

With deteriorating the air quality index and surge in viral cases, including swine flu, in Mumbai and the MMR region, health experts have cautioned the members of public to refrain from bursting firecrackers and making bonfires, in the coming days, as it would lead to surge in respiratory ailments including viral infections. A study in Journal of Cardiovascular Research concluded that long term exposure to air pollution affects the heart, lung and blood vessels, which can cause serious morbidities and mortality. Health experts have advised the public to wear masks, while venturing out, as drop in temperature in winter will further aggravate the situation.

Serious health impact

Dr Wiqar Shaikh, professor of medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir J J Group of Hospitals said he is extremely alarmed at the smog in Mumbai in recent days and the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city surpassing 200. Dr Shaikh said that air pollution has been shown to have a serious impact on the general population with a surge in respiratory ailments including viral infections. Dr Shaikh quoted a study conducted by the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit of the UK in 2022.

The Unit mainly monitored nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations and concluded that case fatality is associated with increased levels of NO and NO2 in the UK. Dr Shaikh quoted another study published from Germany in 2020 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Research, which concluded that long term exposure to air pollution affects the heart, lung and blood vessels, which can cause serious morbidities and mortality.

Firecrackers may worsen AQI

Dr Shaikh said that the coming Diwali festival is bound to worsen the AQI, particularly in view of bursting firecrackers and stubble burning in India, particularly in North India. Dr Shaikh said SO2, CO2, CO and suspended particulate matter (SPM) are released from bursting firecrackers which get lodged in people's lungs.

Stroke and COPD

"Children and teens are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution than adults. Susceptibility of humans to the adverse health effects of environment and chemical toxicants may vary during different lung development stages. Both short-and long-term exposures to air pollution lead to a wide range of diseases, including stroke, heart arrhythmias and myopathies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), trachea-bronchus and lung cancers, aggravated asthma and lower respiratory infections in children, the elderly and those of low socio-economic status worldwide with the greatest effects due to particulate matter (PM), ozone and nitrogen oxides," said Dr Subhash Hira, professor of global health at University of Washington and member of pandemic consultative committees of WHO-Geneva.

Air pollutants threat

Six common ambient air pollutants are particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and lead. The PM 80 per cent of which comes from construction work in large urban cities represent the most widespread health threats for cardiopulmonary diseases, said Dr Hira. He said even as pollution control is the key, covering the face with cloth may also prevent cold damage to the system, said Dr Hira.

"Bursting of firecrackers during Diwali will worsen the air pollution. Firecrackers release a number of toxic chemicals when they burn," said Dr Ketan Vagholkar, professor of surgery, D Y Patil Medical College.
"Inhaling smoke and particulate matter from fireworks can cause inflammation in the lungs," said Dr Vagholkar.

Is there a solution? Yes, according to Dr Shaikh

>> Avoid the use of firecrackers.

>> During the festival, the susceptible population such as pregnant women, children, the elderly and sick people must stay indoors and to keep their doors and windows closed.

>> People suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis should ensure that they use their medications regularly during this period and to keep their symptoms under control as well as prevent acute exacerbations.

>> Wearing a mask during the Diwali and stubble burning season is a simple solution and assumes great importance. Ideally, an N95 mask should be used.

>> Avoid exercising outdoors in polluted air; instead work out indoors.

>> Seek immediate medical help in case of aggravation of symptoms.