New Delhi, December 2 (IANS). National Pollution Control Day is celebrated every year on 2 December in India. Its purpose is to make people aware that how dangerous pollution is not only for the environment but also for our health. On this occasion, IANS spoke to Dr. Meera Pathak, Senior Medical Officer and Gynecology specialist of CHC Bhangel and tried to know how pollution affects our body and how it can be avoided.
According to Dr. Pathak, harmful elements present in pollutants like heavy metals and particulate matter affect our body in many ways. First of all, these chemicals can directly affect the cells and cause serious problems like cancer. Secondly, they affect the hormonal system i.e. the endocrine system, which affects the entire body system. Third, they can even damage DNA, which increases the chances of precancer and cancer. Research shows that pollution is also one of the possible causes of cancer.
Pollution also has mental and neurological effects. It affects the brain, causing more or less sleep, it becomes difficult to concentrate, memory becomes weak, irritability increases and sometimes people feel mentally confused.
It is also common for pollution to affect the eyes. Pollutants present in the air can cause problems like irritation, watering, redness and bacterial infections in the eyes. The respiratory and nasal systems are also affected, in which symptoms like blocked nose, watering, sneezing and difficulty in breathing are seen.
The effect on heart and blood pressure is also serious. Those who already have high blood pressure or heart problems, the risk of heart attack increases and BP also becomes high.
Pollution also affects the endocrine and reproductive systems. Periods in women may become irregular, fertility may decrease and the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery increases in pregnant women. The possibility of congenital problems or developmental deficiencies in children also increases.
Water pollution and other types of pollution also reduce the immunity of the body, which increases the risk of frequent infections and problems like cancer.
According to Dr. Pathak, some easy measures can be adopted for prevention. When the Air Quality Index is above 200, it is safest to stay indoors. If it is necessary to go out, do so early in the morning or late at night, as AQI is higher in the afternoon. Also wear an N95 or N99 mask. Install air purifier in the house and keep indoor plants like money plant, areca palm and snake plant. It is important to drink plenty of water and include tomato, garlic, ginger, basil, black pepper, lemon, fruits and green leafy vegetables in your diet. All these food items can reduce the harm caused by pollution.
Special attention should be paid to people who fall into high-risk groups, such as small children, the elderly, those with heart or lung disease and those with allergies. If there is persistent cough, breathing problems, eye irritation or stomach problems, consult a doctor immediately.
–IANS
PIM/AS
