35% children in India detected with Compromised Lung Capacity: Breathe Blue'15

The nation-wide survey revealed that children in the national capital are worst affected with 21 percent being tagged with ‘Poor’ lung capacity, while another 19 percent faring as bad.

Together this segment formed a whopping 40 percent of the children surveyed. This was followed by Bangalore at 36 percent (14 percent ‘Poor’ and 22 percent ‘Bad’), 35 percent in Kolkata (9 percent ‘Poor’ and 26 percent ‘Bad’) and 27 percent in Mumbai (13 percent ‘Poor’ and 14 percent ‘Bad’).

Released on the eve of World Asthma Day, Breathe Blue’15,conducted in association with HEAL Foundation & Breathe Blue, is part of Clean Air India Movement (CLAIM). It included 2,000 school students in the age group of 8-14 from all parts of the county aimed at mapping the effects of air pollution on breathing capacity of young children.

Among the lot, the worst-affected children are those who commute in unpacked vehicles as they seem to be much more exposed to dust and particles in the air in comparison to children travelling in packed vehicles. In Delhi alone, about 92 per cent of children using UPT (unpacked transport) fared ‘poor’ versus just 8 per cent of those who use PT (packed transport). Similar Trends were noticed in Mumbai (UPT: 79%, PT: 21%), Bengaluru (UPT: 86%, PT:14%) and Kolkata (UPT: 65%, PT: 35%).

“While rising air pollution in the country poses serious health risks for all, it is more worrisome for children as they are yet in their growth years with vital organs of the body physiologically not mature enough to deal with it. This calls for an urgent need to raise awareness among people and figure out ways to address this issue effectively,” says Dr. Preetaish Kaul, representative HEAL Foundation.

Alongside this, BlueairClean Air India Movement (CLAIM) also released the findings of a perception survey that said a whopping 94 per cent people in Delhi think that their participation and contribution will have either zero or negligible effect on air pollution followed by Mumbai (84 per cent), Kolkata (76 per cent) and Bengaluru (67 per cent).

The findings revealed that an overall 46 per cent, 63 per cent and 96 per cent bikers, non-AC car drivers/ owners and AC car drivers/ owners in these cities do not generally turn off their engine either because of laziness and/or luxury (AC car). About 96 per cent people think that turning the engine off and on consume more fuel and 86 per cent people think idle engine does not produce much fumes. A huge 67 per cent people don’t know when PUC gets due for renewal.

Interestingly, 70per cent, 82per cent, 63per cent and 75per cent people with undiagnosed lung problem in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata respectively think they are lung healthy as they do not smoke and/ or have any breathing difficulties. They are clueless that the air they are inhaling are as hazardous (in fact, even more) as smoking cigarette.

The survey not just re-confirmed the dangerously high levels of air pollution prevalent in the country but drew out people’s perception and awareness level on the same.

With World Health Organization (WHO) recently stating that 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India, the issue has come up as one of the most pressing health concerns facing the country.

“The Lung Health Screening Test determines how much air the lungs can hold, how quickly one can move air in and out of his/her lungs, and how well the lungs take oxygen in and remove carbon dioxide out from the body. The tests can detect lung diseases and measure the severity of lung problems. Poor results on LHST mean compromised lung function and high possibilities of contracting pulmonary diseases,” said Dr. Parthasarathi Bhattacharya, Pulmonologist, Director of Institute of Pulmocare & Research.

“Responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year globally (WHO data), air pollution is wreaking havocs on the health of people, especially children in India. Poor air quality is the leading cause of respiratory illnesses, especially in children.A research by the National Institute of Health, US, highlighted that air pollution resulted in clinically low lung function – less than 80 per cent of the lung function expected for their age – in children,” says Dr. Anirban Maitra Consultant Pediatric Pulmonologist AMRI Kolkata,RN Tagore & Institute of Child Health (ICH) Kolkata.

“While most of us broadly know that air pollution is dangerously high in the country, dearth of health indicators always diluted the gravity of the problem. We are sure that the survey results will update people to the perils of air pollution and help them realize the extent of damage it is doing to them. The ideas behind the campaign is to sensitize people and to educate them on making choices that help reduce air pollution and motivate them to make sure that the air they breathe is pure and clean,” says social activist and academician, Nupur Ray, Honorary Member Breathe Blue organization.

Environment activist Subhas Datta adds to this. “Reckless cutting of trees, rapid urbanisation and above all, a dearth of environment friendly laws, surely we have a recipe for disaster! With some of our cities already listed as the most-polluted in the world, its high time we take up the issue on priority basis and figure out ways to control pollution.”

To address the issue of rising air pollution levels in the country, along with relevant stakeholders, BlueairCLAIMaims at engaging, encouraging and educating people.

Through its various activities, that include Clean Air Plantation Challenge, Breathe Blue Sapling challenge, Pollution checks, Make the Red Light the Blue Light, Spot the Kilvish (Kilvish refers to vehicles which emit heavy fumes) and Celebration at India Gate, BlueairCLAIM attempts at raising awareness among people and helping them identify their role in pollution control.