Air Pollution

Introduction: In today’s fast-paced world, where pollution levels continue to rise, safeguarding our health has become paramount. One often-overlooked aspect of health is the quality of the air we breathe. Studies have shown a direct correlation between air pollution and various health issues, including cancer. However, amidst growing concerns, air purifiers have emerged as a beacon of hope, offering a proactive approach to combating air pollution and potentially reducing the risk of cancer. In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the role of air purifiers in cancer prevention, exploring their mechanisms, effectiveness, and significance in promoting overall well-being.

Understanding the Link Between Air Pollution and Cancer : Air pollution comprises a complex mixture of harmful substances, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and toxic gases, emitted from various sources such as vehicles, industrial activities, and burning of fossil fuels. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants has been associated with an increased risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, as well as other respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified outdoor air pollution as a Group 1 carcinogen, highlighting its carcinogenic potential.

How Air Purifiers Combat Airborne Carcinogens:

Air purifiers serve as a frontline defense against airborne carcinogens by effectively filtering out harmful pollutants from indoor air. These devices utilize advanced filtration technologies such as High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, activated carbon filters, and UV-C light to trap and neutralize a wide range of pollutants, including fine particles, allergens, smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). HEPA filters, in particular, are highly efficient in capturing ultrafine particles, often smaller than 0.3 microns, which are known to carry carcinogens.

The Efficacy of Air Purifiers in Cancer Prevention:

Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of air purifiers in reducing indoor air pollution levels and mitigating the associated health risks. By continuously circulating and purifying the air, these devices help maintain a clean and healthy indoor environment, free from harmful pollutants. Research has shown that using air purifiers can lead to significant improvements in respiratory health, including a reduction in asthma symptoms and respiratory infections, which are often exacerbated by exposure to indoor air pollutants.

Furthermore, while definitive evidence linking air purifier use to a decreased risk of cancer is still emerging, preliminary studies have shown promising results. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that indoor air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters and activated carbon effectively reduced indoor concentrations of airborne carcinogens, such as benzene and formaldehyde, thereby potentially lowering the risk of cancer associated with long-term exposure to these pollutants.

The Significance of Indoor Air Quality:

Given that the average person spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, ensuring good indoor air quality is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Indoor environments can harbor a myriad of pollutants, including those originating from indoor sources such as cooking, cleaning products, and building materials. Additionally, outdoor pollutants can infiltrate indoor spaces through ventilation systems, windows, and doors, further compromising indoor air quality.

This is where air purifiers play a pivotal role, providing an effective means of reducing indoor air pollution levels and creating a healthier living environment. By investing in a high-quality air purifier and adopting other preventive measures such as proper ventilation, regular cleaning, and minimizing exposure to known carcinogens, individuals can take proactive steps towards reducing their risk of cancer and promoting long-term health.

Conclusion:

The air quality in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) is one of the worst in the world, as per a WHO survey of 1,650 world cities. Air pollution in India is the fifth largest killer and it is estimated to kill about 2 million people every year. In Delhi, poor quality air damages irreversibly the lungs of 2.2 million or 50 percent of all children.

Air quality index of Delhi is generally Good (0–50), Satisfactory (51–100), to Moderate (101–200) levels between March to September, and then it drastically deteriorates to Poor (201–300), Very Poor (301–400), Severe (401–500) or Hazardous (500+) levels during October to February due to various factors including stubble burning, road dust, vehicle pollution, and cold weather.

Seeing the past trend, the air quality index of Delhi is likely to range between Poor (201–300), Very Poor (301–400), Severe (401–500), or Hazardous (500+) levels between January 2022 to February.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India, the air quality significantly improved. On 14 November 2021 the air quality index of Delhi again slipped to the severe category again.

Since October 2020, the air quality of Delhi has been deteriorating and on October 13 the Air Quality Index (AQI) was marked at 332 in the ‘very poor’ category.

After the Diwali 2019, the air quality of Delhi and NCR region dropped to Hazardous level in several localities. Over the years, the pollution level in the city of Delhi has gone bad to worse. In fact, as per a study carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) among 1600 cities, Delhi is the worst of any major cities in the world in terms of air pollution.

Further in November 2017, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that the air quality index (AQI) was as much as 448, making it ‘severe’ — considered as the worst category and one that comes with the warning that even healthy people are affected by the toxic air.