Prolonged Air Pollution Exposure Can Lead to ‘Lung Cancer’

News Desk

Islamabad: Breathing in polluted air laden with toxins and smog poses significant health risks, including an increased likelihood of lung cancer and asthma, emphasised Dr Sherman Yasmin, a health expert.

Yasmin urged individuals to adopt lifestyle measures to safeguard lung health and mitigate the dangers associated with prolonged exposure to air pollution.

Dr Yasmin highlighted that extended exposure to air pollution can inflict damage on human lungs, leading to asthma, upper respiratory allergies, lung cancer, heart diseases, and a heightened risk of neurological ailments.

She pinpointed transportation, stationary power generation, industrial and agricultural emissions, as well as residential heating and cooking, as the primary sources of outdoor air pollution.

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Regarding signs indicative of lung cancer, Dr Yasmin outlined early symptoms such as chronic cough, wheezing, COPD, asthma, coughing up blood, breathing difficulties, weakness, changes in voice, and the eventual formation of cancer.

To combat these risks, she recommended practical measures like avoiding exposure to wood and coal fires, reducing smoking habits, and minimising exposure to polluted air by checking real-time air quality before going outdoors.

Responding to inquiries, Dr Yasmin underscored that ‘Lung cancer’ constitutes a significant public health concern globally, resulting in a substantial number of deaths. She emphasised that early treatment plays a pivotal role in preventing the progression and spread of lung cancer to other parts of the body.

Furthermore, Dr Yasmin noted that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable due to their less efficient or impaired mechanisms for clearing particles from the respiratory system.