Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 23: Air pollution is often viewed as a short-term respiratory problem — triggering cough, watery eyes, and breathlessness — but experts warn its true danger runs far deeper. Scientists now link prolonged exposure to polluted air with accelerated aging and chronic illnesses that affect nearly every major organ of the body.
According to recent medical research, fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 and PM10 can easily bypass the lungs’ natural defense system and enter the bloodstream, reaching the heart, brain, kidneys, and skin, causing gradual and irreversible damage.
Doctors say toxic pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ground-level ozone keep the body in a state of constant oxidative stress, damaging cells and speeding up biological aging. “These pollutants trigger inflammation and prevent the body from repairing itself, making people age faster at the cellular level,” a senior pulmonologist from AIIMS explained.
Long-term exposure has been linked to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia. In the skin, doctors now observe early wrinkles, dark patches, and loss of elasticity even among young adults living in urban areas with poor air quality.
The effects begin as early as pregnancy — with higher risks of miscarriage, low birth weight, and developmental delays in infants — and continue throughout life. Studies reveal that people living near highways, industrial belts, and dense urban zones are at the greatest risk, with Indian cities frequently recording hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.
Health experts warn that the crisis extends beyond hospitals to the economy itself, with rising pollution-related illnesses leading to loss of productivity and increased healthcare expenditure.
While some cities experiment with air purifiers, cloud seeding, and emission control measures, experts emphasize that public participation remains crucial. Avoiding outdoor exercise during peak traffic, using masks on high-pollution days, and supporting cleaner energy initiatives can help reduce exposure.
“Clean air is not a luxury — it is a basic human right,” doctors stress. Recognizing air pollution as a cause of premature aging redefines it not just as an environmental issue, but as a national health emergency demanding immediate, coordinated action.