By now, it has become commonplace to encounter headlines such as “Breathing in Delhi air is like smoking 20-30 cigarettes.” The reason the impact of air pollution on our lungs may not evoke sufficient horror is that we lack real-time images of our internal organs. Unaware, we go about our daily activities while our lung health steadily deteriorates, contributing to a global surge in pulmonary diseases.
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Even as we learn to normalize the dystopian haze in the air, Dr. Arvind Kumar, a distinguished lung surgeon, and his team have diligently documented a concerning phenomenon: the distressing shift in lung appearance from their natural pink hue to the emergence of black spotting, akin to the condition observed in smoker’s lungs.
Prof. (Dr.) Arvind Kumar, Chairman, Insitute of Chest Surgery, Medanta
In response to a recent spike in the Air Quality Index reaching the “severe” mark in Delhi, Dr. Kumar sounded an alarm by sharing graphic photos depicting the “black” lungs of non-smokers, including children as young as 14 years old. With 30 years of experience in performing lung transplants and compelling evidence of an increasing prevalence of black spotting in the lungs of non-smokers, young adults, and even babies, Dr. Kumar has tirelessly reached out to various channels, from the World Health Organization to television networks, to underscore the profound impact of pollution on our bodies.
Shocking image of a 14-year-old’s lungs demands urgent awareness on adverse effects of pollution
“I perform 4-5 chest surgeries every day, where I observe the colour of patients’ lungs. Over my career spanning more than three decades, I have witnessed the degradation in the colour of people’s lungs. Black spotting is becoming increasingly visible in lungs, similar to that of a habitual smoker.” says Prof. (Dr.) Arvind Kumar, Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery, Medicity Medanta.
Dr. Arvind points out that even young kids aren’t safe from the ill-effects of polluted air. He said, “When babies are born, their lungs are pink in colour because of the oxygenated blood flow. But nowadays, it’s rare for me to see pink lungs, even in kids. What I see is lots of black deposits on their lungs. Among adults, whether they are smokers or non-smokers, their lungs are laden with black deposits.”
Black deposits on the lungs of a non-smoking adult due to long-term exposure to air pollution
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi NCR stays in the ‘hazardous’ range peaking during winter season, with PM2.5 levels nearly 11 times higher than the limit recommended by WHO guidelines. These fine particles, known as particulate matter (2.5), are smaller than 2.5 microns, making them easily absorbed into our bodies through the lungs.
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Dr. Arvind said, “We take about 25,000 breaths every day, on average. Now, think about tiny particles getting into your body with each breath, every single day of your life. These particles bring along toxins stuck to their surface. Once absorbed in the lungs, all these chemicals are released inside your body. It impacts every part of your body, from head to toe. It’s a misconception that air pollution only affects your lungs; it affects your entire body.”
Image of healthy ‘Pink’ lungs unaffected by air pollution
Prof. (Dr.) Arvind Kumar heads the non-profit Lung Care Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness about lung health and inspiring citizen action through committed campaigns. His experience shows that children are the most vulnerable to adverse effects of air pollution.
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“Air pollution impacts us from the moment before we are born until our final days. It affects people of all ages, at every stage of life. Infants up to five years old are the most vulnerable because they breathe more frequently. At this stage, their growing tissues are more susceptible to the serious effects of toxic chemicals. Additionally, their increased physical activity and developing immunity make them more prone to the harmful effects of air pollution.”
Prof. (Dr.) Arvind Kumar, MBBS, MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), is the Founder and Managing Trustee of Lung Care Foundation in New Delhi. Additionally, he serves as the Chairman of the Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco Surgery, and Lung Transplantation at Medanta – the Medicity in Gurugram.
