Heavy metals cause toxicity in humans: Expert

Advices to wear mask, check AQI before venturing out

Hoshiarpur, December 9

Dr Sachin Verma, senior medical consultant at the Ivy Hospital here on Monday said, “The menace of the increased air pollution has become one of the biggest problems faced by the mankind. It adversely affects our health and the impacts of the pollutants can be easily noticed in the masses. The particulate matter, of size less than 2.5 microns, is one of the most dangerous air pollutants. These pollutants, when present in the atmosphere, enter our lungs and stimulate multiple chemical reactions and our bodies bear the brunt.”

Activities like construction activities, transport vehicular pollution, stubble burning etc. generate fine particulate matter PM2.5 which on entering the blood stream causes harm to the body and leads to multiple diseases, he pointed out.

The most common diseases related to air pollution and PM2.5 include asthma, breathlessness, tuberculosis, general health problems, skin infections, eye problems and cancer, he said.

He said further that in October and November, biomass of crop residue (prali) is one of the major causes of air pollution. Pollutants contain heavy metals like potassium chlorate, sulphur, arsenic sulphite, aluminium and copper which pollute the air and on getting mixed with the fog they give rise to dense smog, he remarked.

Smog is very detrimental to our health and is one of the main causes of increased diseases during winters, he said.

Talking about tips to escape air pollution, he said those suffering from asthma or allergic bronchitis should stay away from places where the concentration of fumes is high.

“Avoid burning wood as it causes additional pollution and consider wearing mask when you go for outdoor activities in highly polluted areas.”

Check air quality index (AQI) before going outside. AQI more than 100 is considered dangerous. AQI can be checked online, he said.