The Invisible Threat: How Urban And Indoor Pollution Are Quietly Damaging Your Lungs

Last Updated:August 01, 2025, 13:49 IST

Urban pollution and poor indoor air quality are emerging as silent saboteurs of respiratory health, affecting everyone from young children to healthy adults.

When we picture lung damage, we often blame smoking, infections, or extreme pollution events. But in today’s fast-paced urban lifestyle, the real threat may be far more subtle and much closer to home. Every breath we take, whether in traffic or at our dining table, could be laced with pollutants we can’t see but our lungs certainly feel.

According to Dr. Nalini Nagalla, HOD & Sr Consultant, Pulmonology & Sleep Disorders at Arete Hospitals, Hyderabad, “We’re seeing an increase in people with unexplained breathlessness, chronic fatigue, or stubborn coughs. Many of them have never smoked. The common link? Long-term exposure to invisible pollutants – indoors and outside.”

Home Isn’t Always a Safe Haven

While staying indoors may feel safer, indoor air pollution is often just as damaging. “Many household items such as mosquito coils, incense sticks, unventilated cooking, even scented cleaners release volatile compounds that irritate the lungs,” Dr Nagalla warns.

Poorly maintained ACs, mould, and dust mites silently create a toxic indoor environment. The danger? These exposures don’t cause immediate, dramatic symptoms. Instead, the lungs undergo a constant, low-grade attack.

The Vulnerable: Children and Seniors at Risk

Young lungs are still developing, and elderly lungs are more fragile. “In children, long-term pollution exposure can hamper lung growth. In older adults, it worsens existing heart or lung conditions,” says Dr. Nagalla.

Because symptoms like a mild cough or occasional breathlessness appear gradually, they’re often ignored until real damage sets in.

What You Can Do: Small Steps, Big Gains

While we can’t cleanse city air overnight, reducing personal exposure can make a difference. Dr. Nagalla recommends wearing masks during high-pollution hours, ventilating kitchens and bathrooms, and avoiding incense or synthetic cleaning sprays indoors.

“If you live near traffic-heavy zones, consider investing in a purifier. Dry clothes in open spaces and check regularly for mold,” she adds.

And don’t overlook preventive health: “Frequent wheezing, coughing, or fatigue are signs your lungs need attention. Annual check-ups can help detect early damage before it becomes irreversible,” Dr Nagalla advises.

Regular lung check-ups, especially for those with frequent coughing or wheezing, can help catch early signs of decline before symptoms become chronic. Pay attention to the signs, and protect them before the damage becomes visible.

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Delhi, India, India

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