New Delhi: Delhi’s worsening air quality has once again raised alarm among health professionals, who warn that toxic air is silently inflicting long-term damage far beyond the lungs. Experts say that from increasing cancer risks to compromising the body’s immunity, sustained exposure to polluted air is now one of India’s gravest health challenges.
The State of Global Air 2025 report paints a grim picture — India recorded over two million deaths linked to air pollution in 2023. With PM2.5 levels in South Asia among the highest globally, researchers describe this as both an environmental and human health crisis.
According to environmental experts, India’s pollution stems from a variety of sources. Residential solid-fuel burning contributes around 30% of the total ambient PM2.5, while vehicle emissions, coal-based power plants, industrial activities, and stubble burning add to the toxic mix. In dense urban centers like Delhi, construction dust and chronic traffic congestion further compound the crisis.
“Delhi represents the sharp edge of India’s air-pollution emergency,” said Dr Rakesh K. Chawla, Head of Respiratory Medicine at Jaipur Golden Hospital, Rohini.
“Each winter, particulate matter levels rise to nearly 10 times the WHO safe limit. After Diwali and crop-residue burning, the city becomes a gas chamber — toxins get trapped under a lid of cold, stagnant air.”
Dr Chawla stressed that this is not just a seasonal inconvenience but a constant assault on public health, weakening immunity, worsening asthma, and accelerating chronic lung diseases. He urged policymakers to treat clean air as a fundamental right, not a privilege tied to weather patterns.
Experts Slam Short-Term Fixes
Dr Chawla criticized temporary interventions like odd-even traffic rules and cloud seeding as “symbolic measures” that fail to deliver sustained relief.
“What Delhi needs,” he said, “is consistent enforcement of emission laws, investment in electric public transport, and stricter control over construction dust and waste burning. Without systemic reform, each winter will replay this same public-health tragedy.”
Air Pollution — A Carcinogen in Disguise
Dr Charu Jora Goyal, nuclear medicine physician and CEO of Scan4Health, said air pollution has now emerged as a potent carcinogen, especially during winter.
“Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter — particularly PM2.5 and PM10 — can trigger lung cancer even in non-smokers,” she explained. “These ultra-fine particles enter the bloodstream, heightening risks of bladder, breast, and other organ cancers.”
Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, echoed her concerns.
“Air pollution is itself carcinogenic. For patients already battling pollution-related cancers, continued exposure reduces treatment effectiveness. It’s a vicious cycle — pollution increases cancer incidence, weakens the body, and hampers recovery.”
Health and Nutrition Experts Call for Preventive Action
Beyond cancer, experts note a surge in asthma, eye irritation, allergies, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) linked to air pollution.
Aman Puri, Founder of Steadfast Nutrition, said inhaling ultra-fine pollutants leads to lung inflammation and restricted oxygen supply. He suggested including antioxidant-rich foods and natural anti-inflammatory herbs like tulsi, turmeric, and ginger to combat oxidative stress.
Dr Aditya K. Chawla, consultant at Jaipur Golden Hospital, warned that smoking in polluted environments multiplies the risk of COPD.
“No medication can restore lost lung function. Prevention is the only cure — quit smoking, avoid outdoor activity on high-pollution days, and use clean fuels indoors,” he advised.
Dr Ashish Kumar, Senior Manager at Zeon Lifesciences, added that polluted air also hampers recovery in patients already under medical treatment.
“Clean air is essential for proper oxygenation, better treatment response, and long-term respiratory health. Without pollution control and preventive care, recovery becomes significantly harder,” he noted.
The Call for Urgent Systemic Change
Experts are unanimous — Delhi’s air crisis cannot be solved through temporary fixes. Sustained policy enforcement, public awareness, and clean-energy transitions are critical to protect millions of lives.
“This isn’t just a health issue — it’s an existential one,” Dr Chawla said. “Clean air must be non-negotiable.”