With winter on, air pollution hangs heavy all over

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 2 : Winter is here and with it comes many seasonal and air pollution related health issues including cough, sneezing, eye and nose irritation, conjunctivitis, asthma and many other major health complications.
While coughing, sneezing, eye and nose irritation are brushed off as minor health issues during the winter season without anyone paying much attention--the air pollution that may have caused them, when neglected, may have serious health implications.
9 out of 10 people worldwide inhale polluted air, it kills 7 million people every year worldwide.
Now let's understand what actually air pollution is, what drives it and if there are any safety measures to avoid the health issues associated with it.
What is air pollution?
The World Health Organisation defines it as contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.
The pollutants which contaminate air include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide.
Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution.
Air pollution causes respiratory and many other diseases and health complications.
In Manipur's context, dust from roads is a major contributor to air pollution--which is worse during the winter season.
Why air pollution is worse in winter?
Colder temperatures during winter lower humidity levels and the air become dry.
The dry air lead to increased particulate matter levels, and these particles remain suspended longer in the atmosphere.
Further, sunlight is weaker during winter and as such, the air near the earth’s surface is cooler than the air above--causing the upper layer of air to act as a lid and trap the colder, pollution-filled air below it. People usually see this in the form of winter smog.
Health issues caused by air pollution
Particulate matter in the dust entering the eyes may cause discomfort, irritation, conjunctivitis, red eyes, increased dry eye condition. These conditions are especially caused by fine PM 2.5 particles, said Dr Yengkhom Niveda, speaking to The Sangai Express.
Dr Yengkhom Niveda is the State Nodal Officer of National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health, National Health Mission, Directorate of Health Services.
Air/dust may contain among other pollutants, PM10 and PM2.5.
PM10 is particulate matter of 10 micrometers or less in diameter, and PM2.5 is particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter.
The fine PM2.5 particulate matter are the most harmful pollutants, Dr Niveda said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Niveda said, 9 out of 10 persons inhale polluted air--meaning the air pollution level is high all over the world and is a cause of concern for public health.
The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution kills 7 million people every year, and of these, 4.2 million die from outdoor air pollution, and 3.8 million from indoor air pollution from burning wood and charcoal.
Poor outdoor air quality often causes immediate symptoms like cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, sneezing, chest tightness, headaches, fatigue, allergies and skin irritation, Dr Niveda said.
Air pollution may increase incidence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other allergic disorders. Pollutants after entering the respiratory tract may irritate it and cause inflammation of the airway and the lungs, she said.
Air pollution is especially dangerous for people who are already suffering from asthma. It may worsen symptoms including difficulty in breathing due to restricted airflow, chest pain and cause fatigue, she added.
Further, air pollution may also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or the COPD, Dr Niveda said.
COPD is a condition caused by damage to the airways or other parts of the lung. This damage leads to inflammation and other problems that block airflow and make it hard for people to breathe.
Dr Niveda explained, fine pollutant matters entering the respiratory tract may cause irritation and inflammation of the lungs and make it hard for oxygen to pass through the alveoli into the bloodstream and organs in the body.
The alveoli are tiny air sacs of the lungs which allow for rapid gaseous exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Chronic exposure to air pollution may increase risk of developing COPD and even cause lung cancer, Dr Niveda said.
She further explained that the fine particulate matter of PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lung, irritate and corrode the alveolar wall, and consequently impair lung function.
The particulate matter may even cross the alveolar wall--the site where rapid gas diffusion between the air and blood occurs and enter the bloodstream.
Through the bloodstream, the particulate matter may reach the heart and trigger heart attack. They may also cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and trigger stroke, Dr Niveda said.
Air pollution also increases the risk of developing non communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes and obesity, she said.
It may also affect pregnancy, causing slow growth of the fetus and premature birth, Dr Niveda said.
Pollution control measures
To control pollution, awareness must be raised, and deforestation must be checked. Roads must be improved to reduce dust, and vehicles must be checked for necessary compliance related pollution control rules and regulations, Dr Niveda said.
Controlling vehicle emission is crucial for controlling air pollution that is hazardous for public health, she said.
Notably, vehicle emissions significantly impact air quality. The combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles release various pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
Vehicle emissions affect air quality through the formation of ground-level Ozone, which is formed by the reaction between nitrogen oxides and VOCs in sunlight.
Ozone is a harmful pollutant that can cause respiratory issues, eye irritation, and other health problems. Ozone is particularly problematic in urban areas with high levels of vehicle traffic.
One way to reduce vehicle emissions is to reduce traffic through the introduction of well-managed, reliant and affordable public transport systems, Dr Niveda said.
Public transport vehicles like buses may be introduced in routes in Imphal and beyond to encourage members of the public and Government employees to use them conveniently. This will reduce the number of private vehicles on the road and limit emissions, she added.
Burning of waste generated at homes also contributes to air pollution. So, people must avoid burning waste they generate at home. They must develop a habit of reusing, recycling and reducing waste, Dr Niveda said.
People should also bring their own carry bags when they go to the market to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future, she added.
Safety measures
The use of a good face mask, preferably N-95 type, is recommended when going outdoors, Dr Niveda said.
If people can't afford N-95 masks, they may use other masks or simple clothes to limit exposure to air pollution.
After returning home, people should develop a habit of washing hands with soaps. Timely vaccination of children with flu vaccines is also a must, she added.