Can pollution make you anxious? (Credits: AI)
\n\nDelhi-NCR's pollution crisis is once again raising alarm bells, with a thick blanket of smog hanging over the region. On November 6, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 391 at 11 am, placing it in the 'Very Poor' category, according to the CPCB-based monitoring dashboard. Several monitoring stations, including Rohini (475), Punjabi Bagh (466) and Jahangirpuri (460), recorded 'Severe' air quality. The deteriorating conditions have also affected neighbouring areas, including Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad.
\n\nWhile the immediate concerns surrounding toxic air are usually respiratory and cardiovascular health, there is another aspect that deserves attention: its potential impact on the brain and mental well-being. From difficulty concentrating and unexplained irritability to anxiety and depressive symptoms, prolonged exposure to air pollution may affect more than just the ability to breathe comfortably.
\n\nAccording to Dr. Prashant Saxena, Chairperson, Respiratory Diseases & Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, Allergy & Lung Transplantation, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, "Scientific evidence suggests that long-term exposure to air pollution might also affect mental clarity, emotional wellness and brain health."
\n\nFine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, is small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Some ultrafine particles may also reach…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle
