Rising air pollutants causing stillbirth and premature death of newborns among women

The indirect impacts of air pollution on the human body need serious attention, as the increasing air pollutants are causing stillbirth and premature death of newborns among women living in polluted ambience.

According to the Director, Professor and Head of Department of Community Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, dr. Jugal Kishore,

''Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 (Fine particulate matter) causes premature death among newborns even 1 to 2 weeks after birth, and sometimes causes premature birth too. The air pollutants go to the placenta through blood and block the vessel that causes stillbirth and premature deaths to newborn.''

Talking about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, he mentioned that air pollutants add to the respiratory problems of the patients as their lungs are already affected by the Covid infection.

Highlighting the role of climatic conditions in rising levels of air pollution during October and November in the national capital region (NCR), Harshal Salve, Additional Professor, Community Medicine, at AIIMS, said that air pollution has long-term impacts like alcohol and tobacco.

Air pollution is the most important contributor and risk factor for non-communicable diseases like lung problems, heart failure, brain stroke and many others.

The Additional Professor of Medicine at AIIMS, Neeraj Nischal also said,

''If someone is suffering from asthma or allergic bronchitis, they may feel more problems due to air pollution. In the Covid scenario, those diagnosed with severe Covid infection have hypersensitive lungs and the air pollutants may create more problems for them, like running nose, extreme cough and eye allergy.''

AIIMS doctor Nischal also stated that pollution also affects one's psychological behaviour. It can affect the whole body. Chief organs that may be highly damaged due to high level of pollution are lungs and heart.