CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES

Almost every one knows that outdoor air pollution can damage one’s health and lungs in particular. But not many people are aware about indoor air pollution.

Your house, your office, school or college and your work environment, shops and restaurants all contribute in their own small way.

In other words about 80 per cent of our time is spent indoors without knowing that we are damaging our health.

Poor indoor air quality has been linked to lung diseases like allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary diseases (COPD) and lung cancer. People who already have asthma and smoking-induced bronchitis suffer the most. Old people who are constantly indoors can also get pollution-related lung diseases. The following FAQs will throw some light on the indoor air pollution.

What is ventilation?

Entry of air into the house is ventilation. Air can enter the house in many ways: natural ventilation when we open the doors or windows or by infiltration through the cracks in the walls, floors or ceilings or through exhaust fans or air conditioners.

What do they cause?

These pollutants cause dry throat and cough in a very slow manner. One may forget that indoor air pollution may be the cause. Most of the unexplained cough or cough variant asthma result from these causes.

Whom does it affect the most?

Children seem to be more sensitive than adults. They are more sensitive to tobacco smoke while women suffer silently. Patients who are allergic to mites or moulds suffer most when they enter a room that has carpets, curtains and air conditioners. The effect can start in the womb if the mother or father smokes.

Is it possible to control indoor air quality?

Levels of outdoor pollution are measured although little action is taken from any one. Some countries have set guidelines for indoor air quality but setting them in India will be difficult. For example in a multi-storeyed residential complex one does not worry about petrol pollution, but the vehicle exhaust enters homes thanks to basement car parks!

Self-discipline, individual choice and control over what we use in our homes and how we ventilate them is the only way out. It is hard to control, check, establish and maintain good levels of air quality in schools, offices, shops and restaurants. However we can be aware of the risks and make an effort to reduce them. Only individual effort, not law, can make the earth pollution free.