Times of India , Saturday, May 03, 2008

Correspondent : Staff Reporter

The findings of TOI-CMRI lung function test have not shocked the city medical fraternity. For the last few years, the number of people with chronic lung-related problems has been on the up. And, it's not only because of habits like smoking. Doctors blame atmospheric pollution for the increasing instances of patients suffering from lung disorders. "Initially, we detect bronchial hyper-reactivity in the affected person. There is a prolonged bout of dry cough that refuses to go despite continuously taking antibiotics and cough syrup. A closer look at the patient's history reveals that he has been exposed to atmospheric pollution," says pulmonary diseases expert Ashok Sengupta. Doctors suggest that on the whole, lung-related problems are mainly aggravated by air pollution. Doctors said the problem becomes more acute in winter when more people complain of dry cough because of the prevailing conditions. A Lancet study has shown that children, living within 500 metre of a major road, have reduced lung capacity. A city-specific study, done by the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, showed that Kolkata has the highest number of lung cancer cases — 18.4 cases per 100,000 people. The closest to Kolkata is Delhi at 13.4 cases per 100,000 people. This is not surprising. For, figures available with the Kolkata. Police reveal that only 10% of the 1.5 million vehicles in Kolkata have converted to green fuel. Again, hardly 20% of them go for regular emission tests. Hazardous fumes like sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen apart, there is a heavy density of suspended particulate matter, which includes a variety of substances like dust and other particles. "These substances get embedded in the deepest parts of the lungs. When a person is exposed to these fumes day in and day out, the airways gradually get inflamed. Once this inflammation becomes permanent, the person develops a problem," Sengupta said. "There is no doubt that pollution is one of the principle factors. With the rise of obstructive diseases, the possibility of lung cancer cases also goes up," said surgical-oncologist Gautam Mukhopadhyay. But the threat to human health is not limited to lung problems only. The toxic fumes can damage the central nervous system, cause leukaemia and bring about chromosomal changes. Gynaecologist Ranjit Chakraborti said there has been a rise in the number of women complaining of respiratory diseases during pregnancy. "Asthma and bronchial problems in women are on the rise. During pregnancy, it can create more complications since we can't administer antibiotics to women. There may be a link between the rising number of miscarriages and pollution," he said. Another gynaecologist, Subrata Chatterjee, said there was need for more research on the links between pollution and childbirth. "Problems like stunted growth, congenital defects can be attributed to pollution. Studies have already shown the link between smoking and its adverse impact on newborn babies," he said.

SOURCE : Times of India, Saturday, May 03, 2008