The ASSOCHAM, a business chamber on Tuesday organized a webinar on “Air Pollution & Smog – Health & Prevention” with an aim to create awareness and disseminate knowledge about taking care of air pollution and smog, to lead a healthier, happier, and prosperous life.
Anil Rajput Chairperson, ASSOCHAM CSR Council said, “poor air quality or air pollution has been a constant and deeply concerning matter. Therefore, a no-regret strategy containing all possible preventive measures is imperative to address this global public health emergency.”
According to reports, one third of deaths from stroke, lung and heart disease are due to air pollution. Smog can irritate the eyes, throat, and also damage the lungs.
The webinar is a part of the Illness to Wellness initiative by the business chamber.
In his address Dr G C Khilnani, General Medicine General Physician said, “quality of life and quantity of life is affected by air pollution.”
The most common diseases caused by air pollution include ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and acute lower respiratory infections in children, he said and emphasised that particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide are pollutants of great public health concern. “Indoor and outdoor air pollution are significant contributors to morbidity and death and are known to induce respiratory and other illnesses.”
Children are most vulnerable to the harmful consequences of air pollution, said Dr Anurag Mahajan, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine and Vice Chairman of the Critical Care Department, PSRI. The likelihood of birth deformities, infant mortality, neurological problems, obesity, problems with lung development, pneumonia, and asthma is raised as a result of these impacts.
Dr. Shivanshu Raj Goyal Consultant Respiratory Disease & Sleep Medicine (Unit II) Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram asserted that air pollution can affect every organ in the human body and people who have allergies to pollution may experience itching, a scratchy throat, a runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.
Dr. Rajesh Kesari, founder and director of Total Care Control in Delhi-NCRfocused on food items that can be beneficial in winters like jaggery, pepper, fish, broccoli, turmeric to support and protect lung health.