ENVIORNMENT POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH

ENVIORNMENT POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH

By Prof. A. K. Mahapatra

Principal Advisor, SOA Deemed to be University

Introduction: -

Environment plays a key and important role in our lives. Over last 3-4 decades the impact of climate change is well realized and has become an important concern for Scientists, whether persons, politicians and social activists. Since 1991 several world congress are held to discuss and minimize effort of climate changes on lives, in general and on Human beings in particular. Even during covid pandemic, people realized climate has influenced the outcome and modify disease process. Climate changes have impacted temperature, air quality, food production natural calamities and consequent upon human sufferings in the form of damage to surrounding and deaths.

Industrial revolution of 18th Century turned the life of the people, however no doubt it has eroded upon our climate and over a century we have felt the impact and enacted inefficiently to reach a condition like we see today. During industrialization water, electricity, coal etc used for running machine and automobile companies, producing more and more fosil fuel used by the vehicles has created more problems. Deforestation has reduced green coverage.

Over the last 200 years, worlds populations has increased from 250 Millions to 8 billions, necessity for more food and material for day to day use, thus need for rapid manufacture, rapid transport etc needed using land and sea routes, using motorized vehicles, emitting smoke and petroleum product gases. Over the years industry 3.0 and 4.0 have been created and there is rising needs for more and more manufacturing has become essential to meet the needs.

In India textile and jute industries of 18th century, then coal base industries, mining and over population have added to the degradation of the environment, leading to climate change. There is global warming causing reduction of polar ice cap. In a recent report it was observed how much ice cap has vanished over last 10years.

Modern agriculture has added to the problems. Use of chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides have helped in increase food gain, and tried to reduce the hunger index, however, it has encroached upon water and air quality more importantly of food quality due to use of chemicals and pesticides. Thus all these factors have influenced negatively the Human health.

Over the years Indian’s Population has grown exponentially. Family planning progress started in 1950 did not help us to reduce the population growth to the extent which we would have imagined, Hence today we are the most populous country in the world, leaving China behind. Cities are, overcrowded and in 30-40 years time have become the most polluted cities in the world. Amongst the top 20 polluted cities, India    occupies top 3-4 positions. Cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Kanpur, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore are amongst them. Some time we feel suffocated due to air quality. The respiratory disease has taken a tool, and Asthma, Bronchitis and Lung Cancer etc increased. In Industries, due to smoke and dust there is reduction of lung capacity and people suffer from respiratory diseases. Today people suffering from air pollution in India is very very high.

WHO has recommended PM2.5, which dangerous for our health, by keeping the level lower than recommended, we can protect our health and reduce or minimize the hazards. More-importantly we can reduce pollution related deaths. That is the most concern for the environments social activists and administrators today. To balance the development in one side and reduce the health hazards is most, concerned today. Because of air pollution 7 million deaths occurred world wise annually, which are preventable deaths.

Pollutants:-

There are six pollutants which are more concern today. Smaller particle pollutants can go through respiratory passage and accumulate in lungs Alveoli. Small part of pollutants can enter the blood circulation. These are mostly from combustion of flue by the motorized vehicles. In India over the last 30 years vehicular population and industries have polluted most of the cities air and reached an alarming level. Most impart amongst that NO2, SO2 and carbon monoxide. Air pollution also has increased the health Hazards. Even during Pandemic under, already diseased lung function further compromise by the infection (Table 1). Hence, zero emitting vehicles are ideal. In India air pollution is one of the highest in the world, that need to be added (Table 2).

As over next 15-20 years more and more vehicles are going to be added, air pollution going to detoriate further. Usually lung diseases slowly over a 10-15 years period. Thus, the people in society with respiratory problems are going to suffer due to toxic particulate matter.

Disease:-

The actiology of head ache, chronic throat irritation asthma, Bronchitis Type II Respiratory failure is air pollution. Experiencing respiratory diseases, as there is low oxygen and toxic substance in circulation, it produces CKD and reduces kidney function.

Cigarette smoking can damage the  lungs mucosa and it is observed during last 3 episodes like SARS(I), SARS(II), Swinflue and recently Covid – 19 epidemics death was much higher in patients with bad lungs Similar affect is also seen in coal miners. Person working get continuously expose to dust and smoke pollutions. Workings in mines have a shorter longevity. In Delhi city, citizen’s life span reduced by years due to poor air quality and that is the reason for large number of people suffering from respiratory diseases. Globally 93% children breathe air that contains a lot of Toxic substances (WHO 3/6/20/9) that can reduce Lung function. Good quality air can reduce respiratory diseases. According to WHO children and economically marginalized person affected more (Table 3).

As per SDG (Sustainable Development of Goal) building a clean and green world is a must to protect human lives. People must restain from polluting air and know their health hazards. It is also important to develop green and clean energy. It will cost money and take time, never the less, it is a must to save human being in the planet (Mother Earth) (Table 4).

We can all collectively work to reduce air pollution, conserving energy at home, and work places. We must advise to use Gagetts at home which has less polluting property. We must educate people stop stable burning, which causes severe problem in North India, October to December and create health Hazards for all. Air condition must the kept of 25-270 C (780F). It is also important of to stop burning garbage and leaves. Using manual equipment for gardening can reduce Air pollution (Table 5).

In India, fire crackers during festivals and function like marriage and birth day can be reduce. It produces toxic gasses and children using fire cracker are most affected. Plastic bags are case of pollution. Despite of Govt banning polythene bag it has not been quite successful in India. Use of fan in place of air conditioner and reduction of cigarette smoking can reduce house hold air pollution. As deforestation is another major cause, plantation of trees around houses, creating of jungle, preventing cutting trees and deforestation for development must be avoided (Table 6)

Conclusion:-

Air pollution is a major concern all over the world, particularly in India. Air quality is very bad in our mega cities. With a concerted efforts by public, Government and NGO we can minimize the Air pollution. Reduction of air pollution and reduce respiratory disease can save lives and money. We all must work together to protect mother earth and most importantly save Human Lives.

Reference:-

1. British Heart foundation, global heart circulatory disease. Fact sheet2022

2. European Environment Agency. Environment and Health 2022.

3. WHO Non-communicable disease 2022

4. New-Port Institute. How does physical environment affect you and your Mental Health. Mental Health 2021

5. Health effect of air Pollution – Spare the Air. Sacramento – https/www.spare the air.coms Health

6. National Institute of Environmental Health science. https//www.niehs. Govt Jaguet (Govt. of India)

7. Indoor wood burning may be linked to Lung Cancer US woven – Sept 2023, NIEHS New center

8. Every day Air Pollution can harm BRM Development in Adolescents – NIEHS. New letter Sept 2023.

9. Wild fire smoke, other Air pollution can harm Brain Health. NIEHS August 2023, News letter.

10. Burning plastic can affect air quality public health August 2022 NIEHS.

11. Air pollution affect children brain structure NIEHS – Feb 2022, News letter

12. Increase evidence links Air Pollution to Breast Cancer, NIEHS New letter 2021

Table: - I

Air pollution and Respiratory Diseases

1. Asthma, Lung Cancer, Chronic Bronchitis and COPD
2. Poor Oxygenation lead to poor tissue perfusion and heart has to function more to provide adequate Oxygen.
3. Car Pulmonate, Enlarged Heart
4. High Risk for lung Cancer.

Table II:-

Air quality guide lines by WHO

1. PM 2.50
2. PM 10.0
3. CO
4. NO2
5. SO2
6. Petroleum Gases high concentration in air

Table III:-

How to prevent air pollution

1. Use CNG for vehicles
2. Reduce coal based Thermal Plants
3. Developing Green and clean energy
4. Reducing and banning polluting vehicles, Diesel or petrol cars
5. Using air filters at  public places,

Table IV:-

Role of Vehicle drivers in reducing Air pollution

1. Keep your vehicle good condition so that gas emission is less
2. Turn off your engine at Red light or Traffic signals
3. Drive car as less as possible
4. Car polling  for commuting to offices
5. Use bike or walk when possible, avoiding cars

Table – V

1. 93% children exposed to Air Pollution
2. Due to air pollution 7 million Deaths globally per year
3. 13 person/min or 800 person per hour die due to air pollution
4. Pollution kills more than alcohol, mal-nutrition
5. Brain development suffer in uterus due to mother inhaling polluted air
6. 60% house hold health in children due to Air pollution
7. Pollution cost globally 5 Trillion dollar per year
8. In come loss per year 20 billion USD

Table – 6

Why to reduce air pollution?

1. Prevent or limit global warming
2. Bad for health
3. Damaged Childs health and Brain damage
4. Marginalized are affected most.
5. Cities should be more livable and sustainable.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra was born at PURI on 29.12.1952. His father was Mr. Naba kishore Mahapatra and Mother, Dinamani Devi, stayed at a Brahmin Village (Sasan) near PURI. In child – hood they had a simple life. However, they had landed and the family belongs to the advisor to PURI King (Gajapati Maharaja)shifted to MKCG Medical College in 1970, where he completed MBBS in 1975. MS and MCh Neuro Surgery from AIIMS Delhi. From 1983 – 2017 he worked as a faculty of Neuro Surgery at AIIMs Delhi. In 1996 March he joined as Professor and 2004 as a Senior Professor. He was appointed Director, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow in 2006 and Director AIIMS Bhubneshwar in 2012. He retired as Dean Research, AIIMS New Delhi, after spending nearly 42 years at AIIMS. Currently he is working as Vice-Chancellor at SOA University, (Deemed to be University), at Bhubneswar.
During his tenure at AIIMs, he published 870 papers, wrote 16 Books and more than 140 chaptered. In last 30 years he conducted over 20 research projects and received over 10 crores as research grant. He guided 12 PhD students during his tenure at AIIMs. During1998 - 2008 he had 3rd highest Medical Publication in India and highest no of publications at AIIMS. He has 870 publications with more than 13,500 citations and H index 50 and I 10 index 355 (enclosed)
During his illustrious carrier he had worked as Director of SGPGI for 3yr (2006-2009). During 3years he had successfully completed more than 10-12 projects and started and completed 2nd phase of SGPGI (2006-2009) during which he received Budget worth of 1000crores. Completed. (1) School of Telemedicine 2) Liver Transplant Centre 3) BMT centre 4) Advanced Pediatric
centre 5) PMSSY Building 6) Nursing College 7) College of Medical Technology 8) During his tenure library block, convention centre complex, Trauma Centre construction started and completed. PMSSY building started and completed, 1st to get completed project of PMSSY in India (2007-2008). During his tenure 6no depts started in SGPGI. A) Hospital Administration 2) Pediatric Surgery 3) Pulmonary Medicine 4) Maternity and reproductive health 5) Neonatology and 6) Molecular Medicine. The work and progress made at SGPGI during 2006-2009was un-parallel.
He was the founder Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, started 2012. Starting from Scratch, MBBS, BSC (Nursing Hons), PG and DM, MCh was started in a 4yrs period between 2012-2016. He also started BSc. (Hons) Medical Technology at AIIMS Bhubaneswar – 2015.
In last 40 years Dr. Mahapatra received many awards, (award 65) delivered 15 Orations and received many life time achievement awards. A fellow of National Academy of Science, and member and Academy fo Medical Science. He started Neurological Surgeon Society of India (NSSI) in 2010 became the founder President. He also started Indian Society of Peripheral Nerve surgery 2011 and was the founder President. He contributed heavily to the development of Pediatric Neuro surgery (1989-2012) Neuro trauma (1991-2014) and skull base surgeon society in India (1988-2008) and Peripheral Nerve Surgery (2010-2018). Thus he has been architect of developing super specialization in India staying as a faculty at AIIMS Delhi over 37 years.
In 2016, Dr. A.K.Mahapatra after completing 4 years and 3 months as Director at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, went back to AIIMS, New Delhi, and took over Chief Neuro Science Centre. In January 2017 he was appointed as Dean Research at AIIMS by MoH. Govt. of India, which he continued till December 2017 till his superannuation.
In 2017, he along with his team operated Jaga and Kalia (Balia) conjoint twin (Craniopagus), successfully and both baby survived. Overall 12 such operations done in the world from 1987 to till 2017. It was the first reported successful operation in India. He came back to Odisha and took over Director of Hospital
serves in March 2018. Since joining at IMS & SUM Hospital, Bone marrow Transplant, liver transplant and kidney transplant started.
It was also instrumented in starting B.Sc. (Hons.) Medical Technology, in many places in India, SGPGI 2006-2009, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, 2015- 2016, and IMS & SUM Hospital 2018-2019.
Established the Bone Marrow Transplant Centre, Liver Transplant Centre, Advanced Nursing College, Pediatric Centre, Trauma Centre and Hematology Centre at SGPGI (2006-2009). In last 3 years many DM, MCh started at IMS & SUM Hospital took over as Vice Chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University in March 2020. During last 1 year and 3 months lot of work done for Covid19. In 1st wave (2020) 2320 beds for Covid19 and 2nd wave (2021) 2661 beds for Covid19 patients in six different towns of Odisha. Largest being at IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, 750 beds with 150 ICU beds.
Started doing PCR for Covid19 in May 2020 and Covaxin trial at IMS & SUM Hospital in 2020 July – March 2021. Free Vaccine Centre for Covid19 (Covaxin) vaccine since January 2021, Now paid vaccine Covishield since May 2021.