Delhi Pollution: Indoor Air Worse Than Outdoors, Pulmonologist Warns; How to Stay Safe

Indoor air quality in Delhi is worse than outside, according to a lung expert. Dr Vivek Nangia, head of pulmonology at Max Healthcare, said indoor spaces can have particulate matter, or PM2.5 levels, almost two-and-a-half times higher than outdoor locations, even in the absence of direct emission sources. “Indoor air quality can be 20 to 30 times worse than what it is outside, so you need to monitor and improve the air quality indoors,” he said. According to studies, lung-damaging tiny particles in the air, indoors, were “substantially higher” than those found on the nearest outdoor government monitors. Delhi has routinely topped the list of “world's most polluted capitals”. The World Health Organization estimates that globally about seven million

people die prematurely each year from diseases linked to air pollution, which it puts on a par with smoking and unhealthy eating. Experts say most of the exposure to air pollution happens indoors, and the levels of indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoors.

How does indoor air quality affect your health?

According to experts, poor indoor air quality negatively impacts health by causing immediate issues like headaches, dizziness, eye and throat irritation, along with fatigue, and long-term problems such as asthma, heart disease, stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and cancer. Pollutants like mold, VOCs, carbon monoxide, and fine particles affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, potentially leading to severe illnesses, reduced productivity, and even death, with vulnerable groups like children and the elderly being most at risk. Dr Nangia said patients are now experiencing a worse kind of chest congestion. “These days we are seeing two kinds of patients – one who never had a problem and is coming for the first time, and if you ask them, they say that all the cough, sneeze, and chest congestion started ever since the air quality has come down. And there are others who have an underlying lung problem, they are also experiencing worse things,” he added.

Radon can make it worse for your lungs

Studies have established a strong link between a few common indoor air pollutants like radon, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and Legionella bacterium – all of which have severe and adverse effects on your health. Radon is a known human carcinogen and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Carbon monoxide is toxic, and short-term exposure to elevated carbon monoxide levels in indoor settings can be lethal. Episodes of Legionnaires' disease, a form of pneumonia caused by exposure to the Legionella bacterium, have been associated with buildings with poorly maintained air conditioning or heating systems, as well as hot tubs, fountains, and building plumbing systems and their outlets, like faucets and showerheads. Numerous indoor air pollutants—dust mites, mold, pet dander, environmental tobacco smoke, cockroach allergens, particulate matter, and others—are “asthma triggers,” meaning that some asthmatics might experience asthma attacks following exposure. While adverse health effects have been attributed to some specific pollutants, the scientific understanding of some indoor air quality issues continues to evolve.

How to protect yourself?

To protect yourself from indoor air pollution, you must:

• Ventilate by opening clean outdoor air when the pollution levels are down
• Use HEPA air purifiers
• Minimize pollutant sources like strong cleaners, air fresheners, and candles
• Make sure to clean frequently using a vacuum
• Stop indoor smoking
• Use exhaust fans when cooking
• Maintain humidity
• Add plants like Snake Plants to improve your indoor air quality