It is high time we take air pollution seriously

Air pollution responsible for over 23 lakh deaths in 2019

As the winters set in most parts of India, we are evidently feeling the chills. But what we do not feel is the kind of air we breathe with every passing moment. The level of pollution is getting more and more dangerous and we seem to not notice it at all.

Sharing updated findings from The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, the 2019 Pollution and Health Metrics: Global, Regional and Country Analysis report from the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) provides a ranking of pollution deaths on global, regional and country levels. This report is prepared using the latest Global Burden of Disease data from the Institute of Health Metrics Evaluation.

This report has three top 10-lists based on data collected worldwide and sadly, India is the only country that appears in all three lists:

According to the list of Annual Premature Pollution Related Deaths, India ranks first with 23,26,771 deaths, followed by China and Nigeria. This means that within just 2019, over 23 lakh people died in India due to pollution.

In addition to this, with the toll reaching up to 12,40,529, India ranks second in Annual Premature Air Pollution – related Deaths.

Pollution Deaths per 1,00,000 people – India is tenth with 174.

We are living a life of luxury and comfort which is at times at the cost of the environment. This carelessness and ignorance towards issues like air pollution is slowly but surely killing us. We need to sit up and act upon immediately to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

The first step towards this would be accepting the fact that indoor & outdoor air pollution exists and get to know more about the ill-effects it has on us.

What we should know about air pollution

Health problems caused by high air pollution levels:

• Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness
• Added stress to the heart and lungs (both need to work harder to supply the body with oxygen required)
• Damaged cells in the respiratory system

Permanent health issues occurring with extensive, long-term exposure to polluted air:

• Accelerated aging of the lungs
• Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function
• Development of diseases or rapid worsening of existing ones such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer
• Shortened life expectancy

Who is susceptible to fall prey to air pollution:

• Individuals with the already compromised immune system due to heart diseases, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure, lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive, pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pregnant women
• Outdoor workers
• The elderly
• Children under 14 years of age
• Athletes exercising outdoors

The second would be adapting to a lifestyle that will not contribute to the already high levels of air pollution.

What we can do to avoid contributing to air pollution

• Avoid using fossil fuels
• Try to reduce vehicular pollution by:
• Avoiding taking out our own vehicles whenever possible
• • Increased use of public transport
  • Opting frequently for car-pooling for longer distances
  • Walk short distances
• Stop burning trash
• Discourage burning of dry leaves, etc.
• Cut down on self-induced pollution by avoiding activities like bursting crackers

The third would be choosing products like anti-pollution masks, indoor air purifiers or car purifiers that are designed to keep our indoor air free from pollution. One of the leading companies in India in the filtration industry is Filter Concept Pvt Ltd. They are leading manufacturers and exporters of industrial filtration products and are based out of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In 17-years of its operations, it has practically helped numerous industrial units to considerably cut down on air pollutions and has prevented the emission of lakhs of kgs/hr of pollutants entering the atmosphere.

Its brand ‘AirConcept’ offers a range of domestic, commercial and individual air purifies with an objective to promote healthy and sustainable living. It has supplied its products to various households, commercial entities like movie halls, shopping malls, etc. Its product range also consists of high-end mobile air purifier masks and car purifiers. It’s time to be wise and choose a suitable air purifier that fits well with your lifestyle and take a step towards breathing pure air.