As of 7am today, Delhi's average AQI was registered at 446 as per aqi.in. However, the Early Warning System for Delhi, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Delhi's average AQI at 7am was registered at 341, slightly better, still close to 400. Dr Shivanshu Raj Goyal, a pulmonologist and Associate Director Pulmonary Medicine at MAX Healthcare in Gurugram and Delhi, in an Instagram video said that breathing this toxic air is equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes in a day. No One In Delhi Is A Non SmokerThe doctor starts his video with a rather strong statement, "At present, no one in Delhi-NCR is a non-smoker." "With the AQI of around 400, if I break down the facts, with every 20 of an AQI of PM2.5, is equivalent to smoking a cigarette. So at the AQI of around 400, you are smoking easily 20 cigarettes a day. That is for everyone, each one of us, even a small change. So imagine the amount of damage that this AQI must be causing to your lungs," he says. The doctor also states that on an average, a person breathes around 20,000 times in a day, so it means we are inhaling the toxic air at least 20,000 times a day. As per Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), a cigarette contains nicotine, and tar, which is composed of chemicals like benzene, benzopyrene, and the gas includes carbon monoxide, ammonia, dimethyl nitrosamine, cadmium, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and acrolein. Some of these marked irritant properties are also carcinogen, meaning, it can cause cancer. Whereas Air Pollution contains pollutants like particulate matter PM 10 and PM 2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, cadmium and sulfur dioxide. Air pollution, which is often a byproduct of combustion or released from vehicle exhaust also contain formaldehyde, benzopyrene, and benzene. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the pollutants contain carcinogens, and the outdoor air pollution is in fact classified as Group 1 carcinogen. Common Carcinogen In A Cigarette And Air PollutantsCarbon Monoxide: a poisonous, flammable gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and slightly less dense than air.Benzene: a colorless and highly flammable liquid with a sweet smell, and is partially responsible for the aroma of gasoline.Cadmium: a soft, silvery-white metal (atomic number 48) that is toxic and naturally found in the environment, but human activities have increased its levels. It is used in products like batteries, pigments, and coatings, and exposure can occur through tobacco smoke, contaminated food, and occupational inhalation. Cadmium is a known human carcinogen that can damage the kidneys and bones. Formaldehyde: a colorless, flammable gas with a strong odor, whose exposure could cause cancer.Benzopyrene: a group of organic compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It is a colorless crystalline solid found in sources like cigarette smoke, coal tar and is a known carcinogen that can cause cancer and other health problems like skin rashes and bronchitis, and exposure requires medical attention for any symptoms. So, What Can Be Done To Protect Yourself Against These Carcinogen? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr. Shivanshu Raj Goyal (@drshivanshupulmonologist)]]>Dr Shivanshu Raj Goyal points out that these carcinogens could lead to long term lung and heart damage, as well ass cause chronic cough, breathlessness, asthma, and COPD. However, there are ways to protect yourself:Avoid outdoor activities during peak pollution hoursUse N95 masks when stepping outKeep air purifiers on indoorsStay hydrated and include antioxidant-rich foodsVisit a pulmonologist if you experience persistent breathing issues
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