Delhi Air Quality Turns ‘Severe’; Expert Shares Effects Of Air Pollution On Human Health

Delhi celebrated the festival of lights, Diwali, yesterday. But the celebratory mood went for a toss as the city’s air quality reportedly deteriorated following the festive night. The Air Quality Index (AQI) of several areas in Delhi crossed 400, falling under the ‘severe’ category. As per some reports, AQI in certain areas have even gone beyond 500.

Air pollution is no longer just an environmental issue — it’s a public health emergency. And its hidden effects, like rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, make the case for urgent reform even stronger.

The editorial team of Only My Health got in touch with Dr Debashish Chanda, an orthopaedic surgeon at CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, and Dr R Nanda Kumar, Senior Consultant, SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai. They spoke about the adverse side effects of air pollution on human health. Read on.

Why Delhi Struggles With Air Pollution

Delhi is one of the world’s most polluted major cities. But have you wondered why? “Its pollution isn’t seasonal anymore — it’s nearly year-round, with spikes during winter due to stubble burning, industrial emissions, and weather patterns that trap smog. During these months, the AQI often reaches severe levels, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 300 µg/m³, far above the WHO’s annual safe limit of just 5 µg/m³,” says Dr Chanda. The expert further adds the factors that what makes it worse:

• Long-term exposure: Decades of daily exposure build up damage.
• Indoor pollution: Incense sticks, biomass stoves, poor ventilation, and secondhand smoke further degrade indoor air quality.
• High urban density: More people are exposed in tight, congested spaces.

“For the millions who live in Delhi, this means that every breath could carry not only toxins — but disease risks that build silently over time,” says Dr Chanda.

How Air Pollution Impacts Human Health

Dr Kumar emphasises that air pollution isn’t just an issue for your lungs. “The side effects of air pollution are far beyond the lungs. When polluted air enters our lungs, tiny particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), toxic gases like nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone begin to irritate the respiratory tract and trigger inflammation. Over time, the constant exposure to pollution disrupts the immune system’s ability to fight infections properly. The body remains in a chronic state of low-grade inflammation, which not only reduces resistance to viruses and bacteria but also increases the possibility of allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders. Research shows that long-term exposure to polluted air can even change the function of white blood cells to be overactive or too weak to respond appropriately,” says Dr Kumar.

“Over the past decade, researchers have been uncovering the biological mechanisms by which air pollution can contribute to autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, and multiple sclerosis,” shares Dr Chanda. He explains how air pollutants impacts our health in the following ways:

1. Systemic Inflammation
Pollutants cause inflammation in the lungs, but that inflammation doesn’t stay local. Immune messengers like cytokines are released into the bloodstream, which can create a systemic inflammatory state — the perfect setting for autoimmune diseases to develop or worsen.

2. Oxidative Stress
Airborne toxins generate free radicals (reactive oxygen species) that damage DNA, proteins, and lipids. This cellular stress can mislead the immune system into attacking the body’s own tissues.

3. Breaking Immune Tolerance
Certain pollutants can modify the structure of proteins in the body — a process known as citrullination. When the immune system encounters these altered proteins, it may no longer recognize them as ‘self’ and begin to produce autoantibodies — a hallmark of RA.

4. Lung as Ground Zero for Autoimmunity
Some scientists now believe the lungs may be the initial site where RA begins, especially in people exposed to high pollution or who smoke. Modified proteins and inflammation in the lungs may kickstart the immune system’s attack on joint tissues later.

Effects of Air Pollution on Health

"Air pollution increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes. Fine particles of polluted air can enter the bloodstream, damaging blood vessels and affecting major organs like the brain and kidneys. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable with rising cases of respiratory infections, premature births related to air pollution exposure. It also affects our skin leading to irritation, early ageing, and dullness due to oxidative stress,” shares Dr Kumar.

On this note, let us take a look at the overall health risks from breathing polluted air:

• Premature death.
• Asthma attacks.
• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Lung cancer.
• Developmental damage.
• Susceptibility to infections.
• Worsened COPD symptoms.
• Lung tissue swelling and irritation.
• Low infant birth weight.
• Wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Dr Chanda shares that air pollution may also influence or aggravate the following conditions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Type 1 diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Psoriasis
• Autoimmune thyroid disorders

Also Read: https://www.onlymyhealth.com/delhi-air-pollution-rising-cases-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-expert-shares-12977839934

Combating Air Pollution on a Larger Scale

“The real solution lies in systemic change,” says Dr Chanda, adding, Delhi, and India as a whole, need stronger policies to:

• Reduce vehicular emissions through cleaner fuels and better public transport.
• Regulate industrial output and shift to cleaner technologies.
• Ban open burning of waste and crop stubble.
• Expand green cover in urban areas.
• Invest in clean energy and pollution monitoring infrastructure.

“A good balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding outdoor activity during peak pollution hours can help but the ultimate solution is cleaner air. It is the only real cure for a healthier nation,” concludes Dr Kumar.

The Final Word

Air pollution does not only affect our lungs, it can wreak havoc across multiple systems — including the immune system. It can contribute to autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Thus, we need to combat air pollution, both on an individual level as well as on a larger scale.