One In Three Adults In Delhi Affected By Lung Damage: Here’s What Experts Say

Last Updated:June 30, 2025, 13:50 IST

A recent research has revealed that one in every three adults living in Delhi show lung damage. The study was based on 4000 CT scans conducted in 2024.

Residents of Delhi are no strangers to the health risks posed by the city’s poor air quality. But the problem doesn’t stop there; contaminated water, recurring viral infections, and the rising prevalence of smoking have made the situation even worse. Adding to these growing concerns, a recent internal review by Mahajan Imaging & Labs has brought data-driven evidence to light, confirming what many have long suspected.

The internal review has identified a growing trend of chronic lung diseases, such as bronchiectasis, emphysema, fibrosis, and bronchial wall thickening, among young adults undergoing routine CT chest scans in Delhi and nearby regions.

The research, based on over 4,000 CT scans conducted in 2024, suggests that nearly 29 per cent of individuals exhibited structural changes in their lungs. According to a report published in Express Healthcare, Dr Harsh Mahajan, Founder and Chief Radiologist at Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said, “We are noticing a steady and significant number of CT chest scans – almost one in three – showing abnormalities that were traditionally seen more frequently in older populations. These include irreversible changes such as bronchiectasis and early emphysema, which could lead to long-term health complications if left undetected or unmanaged.”

The analysis drew on routine diagnostic data and was not part of a formal clinical study. To focus specifically on structural lung abnormalities, cases involving infections and tumour diagnoses were excluded from the review.

The team noted that the pattern of findings, particularly in younger individuals, including those in their 20s and 30s, raises a broader public health concern.

Although the exact causes of these lung changes cannot be definitively established, contributing factors may include environmental pollution, smoking, vaping, poor indoor air quality, and undiagnosed respiratory conditions. Experts at Mahajan Imaging believe these findings highlight broader urban health challenges confronting residents of cities like Delhi.

Dr Mahajan said, “In cities like Delhi, where air quality remains a persistent concern, the lungs are already under considerable stress. In such a scenario, risk factors like tobacco exposure -whether direct or passive – could make matters worse.”

Notably, the timing of these findings aligns with ongoing global anti-tobacco awareness campaigns, underscoring the urgent need to address smoking-related damage. However, the lab’s report also pointed to deeper systemic issues, such as a lack of awareness and early screening among younger populations, which can result in severe lung damage, even in the absence of overt symptoms.

On an international scale, comparisons have also been drawn with countries like Brazil, where lung damage among young people is increasingly being recognised as a public health concern, often linked to environmental exposure and recurrent respiratory infections.

These findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness, timely respiratory screening, and preventive measures, especially in urban settings like Delhi. The younger generation needs to prioritise lung health and adopt a more conscious lifestyle.

Location :

Delhi, India, India

First Published: