What is Air Pollution ? Air pollution is the presence of one or more harmful stuff, in the atmosphere, such as dust, gas, odor, smoke in quantities for too long that can be injurious to human health How Air Pollutions lead to disease in our bodies?
  • Shorter Life: Breathing in bad air for a long time can make your life shorter.
  • Asthma Trouble: Dirty air with things like ozone and particle pollution can make asthma attacks happen more.
  • Heart and Stroke Risk: Air pollution raises the chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
  • Lung Cancer Risk: Breathing in particle pollution can lead to lung cancer, which is the main reason for cancer deaths.
  • Hurtful to Kids: Breathing dirty air when growing up can slow down how kids’ lungs grow, which is bad for their health.
  • More Infections: Bad air makes it easier to get lung infections, especially for kids.
  • Irritated Lungs: Even if your lungs are healthy, dirty air can still make them irritated and swollen. 
  • Breathing Issues: Dirty air can cause wheezing, coughing, and trouble breathing, both in the short term and over a long time.
 Ways to limit breathing polluted air
  • Choose Low-Traffic Routes:
When walking, jogging, or cycling, opt for routes with less vehicular traffic to reduce exposure to vehicle emissions.
  • Time Your Activities:
Plan outdoor activities during times when air pollution levels are lower, such as early morning or late evening when traffic is lighter, and industrial activities are reduced.
  • Green Spaces:
Exercise in parks or green spaces, as they often have better air quality due to the presence of trees and plants that can help filter pollutants.
  • Avoid High-Pollution Areas:
Stay away from areas with known high pollution levels, such as busy highways or industrial zones, and choose cleaner environments for your activities.
  • Use Masks:
Consider using masks designed to filter out particulate matter, especially on days with poor air quality. Look for masks with N95 or equivalent ratings.
  • Indoor Exercise:
On days when outdoor air quality is poor, opt for indoor exercise alternatives like gyms or home workouts to minimize exposure to polluted air.
  • Stay Hydrated:
Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins from your body and can help mitigate the impact of inhaling pollutants.
  • Ventilate Your Home:
Ensure good indoor air quality by ventilating your living spaces. Use open windows, and maintain good airflow to reduce indoor pollution.

Written By:  Dr. Fozia Ansari

Aneesa Clinic