As air quality in Delhi continues to worsen, the visibility has also been impacted. In fact, the national capital's major landmarks, including the India Gate has been shrouded in thick smog. As a result, many are now reporting with breathing issues, however, the air quality's condition worsening impacts more than just lungs and respiratory system. "Air pollution is eating into our bodies just like termites eat into wood," says Dr Arvind Kumar, Thoracic Surgeon and Lung Health Specialist at Medanta Hospital to ANI.He highlights that the air pollution does not only impact the lungs, but also the IQ of the kids, non-smokers and their risk of cancer, and life expectancy. How Does Air Pollution Impact IQ of Kids?Dr Kumar notes that air pollution can now also reach fetus through mother's placenta. The way nutrients reach the womb to the baby, the pollutants, thanks to its minute size could travel through blood and reach to the babies. "IQ in kids are low," says Dr Kumar. As per a UNICEF report, toxic air lowers children's IQ and memory and affects their test scores and also triggers neurological deficit hyperactivity disorder. It further leads to development delays. The report has estimated 17 million babies worldwide, with around 12 million living in South Asia, live in areas that record pollution levels six times higher than the international safe limits of 20 micrograms per cubic meter for PM 10 and 10 microgram per cubic meter for PM 2.5.This brings us to Dr Kumar's next point, on how these particulate matters are now leading to lowering life expectancy. Life Expectancy Lowered By 3 to 4 YearsDr Kumar says that the overall life expectancy of an average adult is also going down by 3 to 4 years. "We breathe on an average for 25,000 times a day, and end up inhaling 10,000 liters of air. While 20% of which is oxygen, we also inhale unwanted particles, which are some seriously disease causing chemicals including PM2.5," he says.He further notes that while there has been discrepancies in the PM2.5 levels and overall pollution levels in the national capital, it could be agreed that on an average the AQI remains over 300. However, in 100 AQI, there are around 22 microgram of PM2.5, which is equivalent to 1 cigarette. So, if a person breathes in 300 or above AQI, then the person is inhaling smoke equivalent to 15 to 20 cigarettes. Which brings to the third most important point the doctor noted, which is the ending difference between the lungs of smokers and non smokers. The Distinction Between Smokers And Non-smokers Is Ending"Earlier we had 90% of lung cancer patients who smoked, and 10% were non smokers. Now, it is 50-50," says the doctor. The doctor noted that due to the toxic air that everyone is inhaling, now there is no difference between the cancer risk between a smoker and a non smoker. In fact, as per the data, nearly 1 in 4 adults who smoke, among them, more than one-third are men, while women are only 8%. However, the doctor notes that there is no difference between a woman's and a man's risk for lung cancer, even though the data shows that less women smoke, all thanks to the toxic air pollution. What Can Be Done?The safety precautions that time and again many doctors have said include:Avoid going out during peak pollution hoursWear N-95 MaskHydrate yourselfIf one can afford, bring an air purifier in your home
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