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Ishita Roy

Exposure to Toxic, Poisonous Air Does Not Build Pollution Immunity, Doctors Warn!

Amid Delhi’s Health Emergency, Doctors Warn That Exposure to Toxic, Poisonous Air Does Not Build Pollution Immunity, Urge To Mask Up

Delhi is facing a health emergency as <span>air pollution</span> continues to rise, and the air quality continues to get worse. On November 7, Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) logged at 727, which alarmed many, leading to a protest at India Gate. As of today, at 7am, Delhi's AQI was recorded at 421 under the 'severe' category. Today's AQI levels were marginally higher than Monday, where the AQI was recorded at 345 at 8am, under 'very poor' category. 

Amid all this, while some doctors have suggested people to leave Delhi if they can, there are people who are still taking it casually. Many Delhiites are saying that since they are exposed to such air all the time, they are immune to it and that the toxins cannot harm them. This idea comes from the concept of herd immunity or community immunity. It is a form of indirect protection from an infectious disease that occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune as it was exposed to it for a long time. However, this does not work when it comes to pollutants. 

<h2>What Are Doctors Saying About Pollution Immunity</h2>

Dr Arjun Khanna, Head of Pulmonology at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, as reported in Business Standard says, "There is no physiological mechanism that lets the body get immune to polluted air. Unlike bacteria or viruses, pollutants do not trigger protective immunity.” This means if you feel "used to" the pollution, you are not actually safe from it. 

In fact, long term exposure could actually worsen your health condition. “Chronic exposure worsens asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and even neurological disorders. Pollutants weaken natural defences; they do not strengthen them,” explained Dr Khanna.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/delhi-air-pollution-as-aqi-crosses-700-aiims-doctor-suggests-5-ways-to-keep-everyone-safe-article-153126146" data-type="tilCustomLink"> Delhi Air Pollution: As AQI Crosses 700, AIIMS Doctor Suggests 5 Ways To Keep Everyone Safe</a> 

<h3>What Happens When You Are Exposed To Air Pollution For Longer Duration</h3>

Chronic pollution exposure aggravates oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. This means, with every breath you take, you inhale a toxic swamp. 

As per Pusan National University, long term air pollution exposure actually triggers allergic immune responses in the lungs. Furthermore, a 2022 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health also shows the negative impact on immune system with alarming and harmful air quality. 

As per another 2000 study, published by the British Society for Immunology, people living in areas with higher pollution levels show measurably different immune responses than those in cleaner environment. 

Air pollution contains toxins like particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. It also includes hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), such as lead, mercury, asbestos, benzene, and other volatile organic compounds. When one breathes this toxic and poisonous air the respiratory system bears the initial brunt of it. The pollutants then damage the delicate tissues lining your airways, and disrupts the barrier that normally prevents harmful substances from entering your body. When this first line of defence is compromised, pathogens find it easier to established infections. 

As per a 2024 study titled 'Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment on the Metabolic Profile of Medicinal Plants and Their Therapeutic Potential', air pollution appears to alter the very composition of immune cells. Pollutants like PM2.5 enter lungs and then mix with our blood and they interfere with how our immune cells work and cause a condition known as synthetic inflammation. "Over time, it keeps the immune system in a constant state of low-grade inflammation, making you more prone to infections, allergies, and chronic illness,” says Dr Khanna. 

The doctor points out that living in polluted areas does not make anyone tougher, it is just a myth. “It’s like saying smoking every day makes your lungs stronger,” Dr Khanna laments. Doctors are urging people to not step out of their houses, and if they have to, they must wear N-95 masks.

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Delhi is facing a health emergency as air pollution continues to rise, and the air quality continues to get worse. On November 7, Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) logged at 727, which alarmed many, leading to a protest at India Gate. As of today, at 7am, Delhi's AQI was recorded at 421 under the 'severe' category. Today's AQI levels were marginally higher than Monday, where the AQI was recorded at 345 at 8am, under 'very poor' category. Amid all this, while some doctors have suggested people to leave Delhi if they can, there are people who are still taking it casually. Many Delhiites are saying that since they are exposed to such air all the time, they are immune to it and that the toxins cannot harm them. This idea comes from the concept of herd immunity or community immunity. It is a form of indirect protection from an infectious disease that occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune as it was exposed to it for a long time. However, this does not work when it comes to pollutants. What Are Doctors Saying About Pollution ImmunityDr Arjun Khanna, Head of Pulmonology at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, as reported in Business Standard says, "There is no physiological mechanism that lets the body get immune to polluted air. Unlike bacteria or viruses, pollutants do not trigger protective immunity.” This means if you feel "used to" the pollution, you are not actually safe from it. In fact, long term exposure could actually worsen your health condition. “Chronic exposure worsens asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and even neurological disorders. Pollutants weaken natural defences; they do not strengthen them,” explained Dr Khanna.Also Read: Delhi Air Pollution: As AQI Crosses 700, AIIMS Doctor Suggests 5 Ways To Keep Everyone Safe What Happens When You Are Exposed To Air Pollution For Longer DurationChronic pollution exposure aggravates oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. This means, with every breath you take, you inhale a toxic swamp. As per Pusan National University, long term air pollution exposure actually triggers allergic immune responses in the lungs. Furthermore, a 2022 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health also shows the negative impact on immune system with alarming and harmful air quality. As per another 2000 study, published by the British Society for Immunology, people living in areas with higher pollution levels show measurably different immune responses than those in cleaner environment. Air pollution contains toxins like particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. It also includes hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), such as lead, mercury, asbestos, benzene, and other volatile organic compounds. When one breathes this toxic and poisonous air the respiratory system bears the initial brunt of it. The pollutants then damage the delicate tissues lining your airways, and disrupts the barrier that normally prevents harmful substances from entering your body. When this first line of defence is compromised, pathogens find it easier to established infections. As per a 2024 study titled 'Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment on the Metabolic Profile of Medicinal Plants and Their Therapeutic Potential', air pollution appears to alter the very composition of immune cells. Pollutants like PM2.5 enter lungs and then mix with our blood and they interfere with how our immune cells work and cause a condition known as synthetic inflammation. "Over time, it keeps the immune system in a constant state of low-grade inflammation, making you more prone to infections, allergies, and chronic illness,” says Dr Khanna. The doctor points out that living in polluted areas does not make anyone tougher, it is just a myth. “It’s like saying smoking every day makes your lungs stronger,” Dr Khanna laments. Doctors are urging people to not step out of their houses, and if they have to, they must wear N-95 masks.

amid delhi’s health emergency, doctors warn that exposure to toxic, poisonous air does not build pollution immunity, urge to mask up

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