In a worrying trend noted by oncologists and experts, lung cancer cases are increasing in the city. The foremost reason, much against popular perception, is not smoking but environmental pollution.
Presence of metallic substances, particulate matter (PM) -10 and PM-2.5 has triggered an alarming rise in the number of patients, according to experts.
“Delhi’s air quality is very harmful as it contains toxin nitrogen dioxide gas and particulate matter 2.5, 10 beyond the permissible limits. Not only the outdoor air pollution but also poor indoor air quality is also contributing the risk factor,” said cancer specialists.
Dr Shyam Aggarwal, senior Oncologist at Sir Gangaram Ram Hospital said, “We have seen a rise in the number of patients affected by lung cancer. Most of these are non-smokers. They are not even passive smokers. This primarily happens due to poor air quality”.
He said from the last one year, we have noticed a 20 per cent increase in lung related disorders silently causing cancer. Mostly females come to us complaining breathing problems. Elaborating on indoor air pollution as one of the contributing factors, Dr. Aggarwal said, “long exposure to cigarette fumes and carbon burning affect human body which initially causes lung and breathing related problems and if this goes unnoticed then it takes the shape of lung cancer.”
According to Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the permissible limit for nitrogen dioxide is 80 microgram per cubic which is a toxic gas of commercial vehicles and industries. On Tuesday at Anand Vihar, it showed the level of 118.8 micrograms per cubic. Similarly for PM 2.5 the permissible limit is 60 micrograms per cubic which indicated 109 micrograms per cubic on the day. While PM 10’s permissible limit is 100 it was indicated 368 micrograms per cubic.
“When people breathe these harmful chemicals it effects respiratory tracts silently leading to long term illness like cancer. Also, indoor air pollution is equally unsafe for the residents,” said Dr Aggarwal, adding that as per King’s College study on air pollution in london the major risk of developing lung cancer is significantly increased in people exposed to air pollution.
Dr lM Darlong, consultant and chief of Thoracic surgical oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute said, “Asthma and bronchitis patients are more at risk, who can easily get inflicted with cancer infection. Over the years, it is reported as most cancer deaths in India occur due to smoking which is again inhaling bad quality air.”
Currently, air pollution in Delhi has surpassed all the level putting people’s life in danger. Recently, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) stated that outdoor air pollution is carcinogenic to humans. In a research, it found evidence that exposure to outdoor air pollution causes lung cancer and increased risk of bladder cancer.