In recent weeks, Delhi has seen an alarming rise in air pollution levels, with air quality deteriorating to “severe” levels, prompting health warnings for millions of residents.

As the capital and surrounding areas grapple with dangerous levels of smog, experts are raising concerns over long-term health consequences, especially for individuals suffering from chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD, which currently affects about 63 million people worldwide, is a progressive lung disease that makes breathing more difficult. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is one of the major environmental risk factors for COPD, along with smoking.

In fact, air pollution significantly contributed to 3.1 million deaths due to COPD in 2021, underscoring its deadly impact.

Dr. Manoj Goyal, Director and Unit Head of Pulmonology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, said that air pollution is a complex mixture of harmful substances, which include sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. These pollutants, which originate primarily from industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust, can have both immediate and long-term effects on health.

“Air pollution is not only harmful for the lungs, but it can also affect almost every organ of the body,” said Dr. Goyal. “The fine particles (PM2.5) found in polluted air are small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing widespread inflammation and damage.”

In COPD patients, exposure to air pollution causes a rapid decline in lung function and increases symptoms. Particulate matter, which is often less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, can infiltrate deeply into the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic tissue damage.

Over time, this leads to frequent exacerbations of COPD, worsening respiratory function, and an increased risk of death.

Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Consultant Pulmonologist, CK Birla Hospital, highlighted the significant impact of both indoor and outdoor pollution on COPD patients.

“Indoor pollution, often from cooking with solid fuels, can increase inflammation in lung tissue and worsen symptoms,” Dr Grover said. ” Outdoor pollution, especially during high haze seasons, increases the risk of COPD flare-ups, decreased lung function, and even death.”

The harmful effects of air pollution are not limited to COPD. In fact, WHO reports that outdoor particulate matter is responsible for more than 4 million deaths globally each year, making it the fifth leading risk factor for death. Air pollution is also linked to many other diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.

For people living with COPD, the combination of smoking, environmental pollutants and chronic lung damage makes managing the disease even more challenging.

With pollution levels in cities like Delhi regularly exceeding safe limits, the need for urgent action to tackle air quality is clearer than ever.