Indoor pollution equally harmful, says doctor

New Delhi: While busting a myth, an expert said that it's just not outdoor pollution that severely affects the various part of the body but indoor pollution has an equally negative impact on health. President, Heart Care Foundation of India, Dr KK Aggarwal said that indoor pollution is as dangerous as outdoor pollution for human health.

To avoid pollution, people believe that stay at home would avoid the impact of outdoor pollution, but they are not aware that indoor pollution are equally harming as most of the them do not check the level of pollution at home.

"Volatile Organic Compounds (Wood preservatives, Cleaners and disinfectants, Moth repellents, Air fresheners, Building materials and furnishings, Copy machines and printers in indoor pollution severely affect the asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. That is why so many viruses and flu come," said Dr Aggarwal.

He also said that for developing a strong immunity for the lungs, people should perform 'Pranayam', which are known as 'parasympathetic breathing' in modern medicine.

He also pointed that these days PM10 and PM2.5 have increased in Delhi. If PM 10 rises, then there are dust particles, if PM 2.5 rises, then there is rise of gases.

"If PM 10 increases, it will damage lungs while if PM 2.5 increases, it will damage the heart and the brain and also it will lead to high BP. It can also cause heart attacks by entering the circulation," added Dr Aggarwal.

He further said that an individual should do less harm by not visiting highly polluted areas in Delhi.