The New Threat: Air Toxicity

Pollution is the main reason which makes the air toxic and unsuitable for breathing. 'Air Toxics' are those pollutants that are persistently present in ambient air in low concentrations and is the cause of health hazards in both humans and animals. It also affects plant life and that has a negative impact on the food cycle. The volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, heavy metals and other compounds are labelled as 'hazardous air pollutants' that are different from 'common air pollutants' like carbon monoxide.

There is a direct link between air toxicity and potential health risks like cancer, birth defects, genetic damage, defects in the central nervous system, immunodeficiency and disorders in the respiratory and nervous systems. The ill effects of air toxicity is highly visible in very young and elderly population.

Dr. Nalini, Senior Consultant Pulmonologist, Pulmonary and Sleep disorders, Continental Hospitals clears the cloud over air toxicity and how it impacts health

How will you define air toxicity?

Dr : Contamination of the air, with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities –especially, smoke or gases from vehicles, factories and power stations. It can cause diseases, kill plants and damage structures.

What are the volatile organic compounds or (VOCs) that cause air toxicity?

Dr :VOCs include a variety of chemical gases emitted from solids or liquids. Example- Benzene, Formaldehyde, acetore, phenol etc. Thousands of common household products contain VOCs including paint, varnish, wax etc. Common sources contributing to air pollution are motor vehicles, dry cleaners, industrial painting and coating. Burning fossil fuels like coal also result in the release of VOCs into the atmosphere. VOCs contribute to the formation of ground level ozone by reacting with nitrogen oxides. Ground level ozone is the key pollutant that causes smog and can have many impacts on health.

What are the diseases caused due to air toxicity?

Dr : Air toxicity is undoubtedly the most problematic type of pollution and may cause serious long term health effects. Air pollutants can travel long distances from their sources, posing risk to health even when we cannot feel that we are breathing polluted air. According to a Cornell University study, air pollution kills 3 million people a year !

Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth and throat

Diminished energy levels

Headache and dizziness

Respiratory diseases such as astama attacks, COPD, Lung cancer, Mesothelioma

Leukemia

Birth defects and immune system defects

Heart disease and stroke

Neurobehavioral disorder

Liver cancer

Premature death

How does our body cope with the toxicity in the air?

Dr : Human body cannot tolerate air toxicity beyond certain levels over long periods. Lifetime cancer risk and rise of other disease increases, particularly so in urban areas.

How is air toxicity affecting pregnant women and their unborn foetus? Can air toxicity lead to birth defects?

Dr : There is a strong association between household air pollution and neonatal mortality and still births, as per a public health study conducted in India in 2015. A new study suggests that exposure to air pollution before conception or even during the first month during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects in children.

The World Health Organization has stated that Aerotoxic Syndrome is the new age occupational hazard among those who work for airlines and also in passengers who fly frequently for long-distance destinations. What is your suggestion for them?

Dr : Air on almost all commercial passenger planes is bled through the engines to the cabin. Toxic cabin air breathed by passengers, pilots and cabin crew over a long time is linked to cancer, chronic fatigue and neurological problems, according to a new research in a WHO journal. The exposure to cabin air contaminated with chemicals such as engine oil has a clear link between short and long term illness.

The solution to this problem is adopting a clean air system in the airplane cabin by putting filters to cabin air. A monitoring device has been suggested that can gauge when organophosphates from engine oil have been released into the cabin. If anyone, particularly, airline crew suffers from chronic fatigue, depression or a nervous disorder symptoms being noticed soon after a flight, aero toxic syndrome should be suspected.

What are the methods to prevent air toxicity inside the house?

No smoking

To avoid excess use of chemical cleaning supplies or t use natural cleaning supplies.

Use of air filters and getting ventilation and air conditioning system checked regularly

Make sure stove is well ventilated

Remove carpeting if possible

Make sure exhaust fans are functioning in bathrooms and kitchens

Dust surfaces and vacuum frequently

Minimize air freshener use

Avoid cooking on biomass fuel like coal, firewood and kerosene.

Public health agencies often conduct risk assessment to measure the levels of toxic pollutants in the air. What is the recommended air quality index value for maintaining healthy and pure air?

Dr :The purpose of the AQI is to help understand what local air quality means to health.

For Appointment : Dr. Nalini, Senior Consultant Pulmonologist, Pulmonary and Sleep disorders, Continental Hospitals