India’s 1.3 billion people live in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the WHO guideline. Air pollution has emerged as a silent accomplice to a growing invisible crisis.
Air pollution is a silent killer of several deaths in India. It is a mystic haze that is usually caused by crop burning, vehicular emissions, dust storms due to construction activity, and industrial emissions.
complex amalgamation of pollutants
Air pollution is not a single enemy but a complex amalgamation of pollutants that are numerically valued in the form of AQI (Air Quality Index). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds constitute a toxic concoction that infiltrates the lungs with every breath. As per researchers these pollutants taint the respiratory system and even human minds.
According to the recent World Air Quality Report prepared by IQAir , Delhi appeared fourth on a list of 50 of the world’s most polluted cities in terms of PM 2.5 levels in 2022. Mumbai experienced a
11 % increase in the past four years whereas Lucknow, Patna, Bengaluru, and Chennai observed a decline in PM 2.5 levels, with Chennai experiencing a 23% decrease in 2023.
As the haze of toxic pollutants brings gloominess to the sight, it does the same to the human mind. Without enough exposure to the sun, serotonin hormone levels can dip resulting in a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Emerging evidence suggests a connection between air pollution and psychotic disorders. A recent research study at Harvard in United States has suggested that poor air quality during the early years of an individual’s life increases the risk of psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorder, and major depression.
social connectivity
Due to the air pollution senior citizens are forced to stay indoors which results in the loss of social connectivity. This aggravates the genesis of dementia. In an environment where one is confined within four walls, new learning also becomes difficult for them.
Even kids exposed to 24 hours of air pollution can suffer from cognitive impairments and poor academic performance.
Certain pollutants like nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide have a direct effect on the certain areas of the brain which control the emotions and behaviours of people that lead to the issues of learning disabilities and cognitive behavioural issues.
Umpteen scientific studies have established a compelling link between increased levels of air pollution and heightened anxiety levels. The presence of particulate matter has been found to correlate with increased activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear centre, triggering a heightened state of vigilance and anxiety. The perpetual exposure to polluted air creates a persistent state of stress, contributing to the rise in anxiety disorders.
While the exposure to air pollution might be short-lived, anxious young people are experiencing eco-anxiety due to exposure to alarming news about climate change.
Eco-anxiety is extreme worry about the present-day situation and future harm to the environment caused by human activity and climate change.
Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of depression, with the inflammatory response triggered by pollutants potentially affecting neurotransmitter function.
There needs to be stricter regulations on industrial emissions. Incentivizing cleaner technologies, and investing in sustainable urban planning are critical steps in curbing the rising tide of air pollution.
(Dr Naresh Purohit is – Advisor- National Climate Change And Human Health (NCCHH) . The views expressed here are of the author)
