January 12, 2026
NEW DELHI – Air pollution has emerged as one of the most serious public health challenges of our time and is no longer confined to metropolitan cities alone. Smaller cities and semi-urban areas are equally affected.
In an interaction with The Statesman, Dr Rishabh Yadav, MBBS, MS (Medical Superintendent) at a private hospital in the national capital, said that prolonged exposure to polluted air is silently increasing the burden of respiratory, cardiac and neurological diseases across the population.
Dr Yadav said air pollution has both immediate and long-term health impacts. “Short-term exposure can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, skin allergies, chest discomfort, frequent respiratory infections, fatigue and reduced concentration. These symptoms may appear within hours or days,” he explained.
When asked about the long-term consequences of continuous exposure, Dr Yadav said it is far more damaging. “Long-term exposure contributes to chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reduced lung development in children, cardiovascular diseases including heart attacks, lung cancer, weakened immunity, cognitive decline, hormonal imbalance and a reduction in overall life expectancy,” he said.
He added that the most vulnerable sections of society include children, the elderly, pregnant women and individuals suffering from asthma, heart disease or diabetes. “For them, polluted air can aggravate existing conditions and lead to serious complications,” he noted.
On preventive measures, Dr Yadav advised people to regularly monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) and limit outdoor activities when pollution levels are high.
“Wearing a good-quality mask during severe pollution can significantly reduce the inhalation of harmful particles. Keeping windows closed during peak pollution hours and using air purifiers indoors can also help maintain cleaner indoor air,” he added.