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This is an archive article published on November 19, 2024
Breathing Delhi’s air on ‘severe plus’ days equals smoking 23-45 cigarettes daily
“The cigarette equivalence of air pollution is a method to convey the harmful effects of polluted air in relatable terms,” explains Dr Shivakumar K, MD respiratory medicine and chief consultant at Kauvery Hospital, Bengaluru.
Commuters drive through a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi. (Express Photo By Amit Mehra)
As winter sets in, Delhi’s air quality has once again plunged into the ‘severe plus’ category, raising alarm bells about the health impacts of prolonged exposure. A common analogy often used to explain the gravity of this situation equates breathing Delhi’s toxic air to smoking several cigarettes a day. But how accurate is this comparison, and what does it really mean for our health?
Poor air quality isn’t just a seasonal discomfort; it poses serious risks, particularly to vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. To better understand the extent of the damage caused by such pollution and its equivalence to cigarette smoking, Dr Shivakumar K, MD respiratory medicine and chief consultant at Kauvery Hospital, Bengaluru, explains the health implications and what residents can do to mitigate risks.
How is the cigarette equivalence of air pollution calculated?
Dr Shivakumar tells indianexpress.com, “The cigarette equivalence of air pollution is a method to convey the harmful effects of polluted air in relatable terms. It is based on studies that measure the particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration in polluted air and its impact on the lungs compared to cigarette smoke.”
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, he adds. These particles penetrate deep into the respiratory system, similar to the damage caused by inhaling cigarette smoke.
Dr Shivakumar mentions, “A commonly cited study published in Environmental Science & Technology (2015) by Lelieveld et al. suggests that every 22 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) of PM2.5 over 24 hours is approximately equal to smoking one cigarette.”
Factors considered
Air Quality Index (AQI): Levels of PM2.5, PM10, and other pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Exposure Duration: Number of hours a person spends outdoors or in polluted environments.
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Inhalation Rate: Breathing rate varies with physical activity; for example, jogging increases air intake, thus inhaling more pollutants.
“This method simplifies the risk assessment for the general public, although it does not account for individual susceptibility or variations in cigarette toxicity,” states Dr Shivakumar.
In particularly toxic hotspots, where PM2.5 may spike to 1,000 µg/m³, exposure could be comparable to smoking over 45 cigarettes daily. (Source: Freepik)
During ‘severe plus’ air quality days in Delhi, how many cigarettes’ worth of exposure might a resident experience in a single day?
On ‘severe plus’ air quality days in Delhi, Dr Shivakumar reveals that PM2.5 levels “often exceed 500 µg/m³, far above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit of 5 µg/m³ for 24-hour exposure.”
He adds, “Using the formula (22 µg/m³ PM2.5 = 1 cigarette), a PM2.5 level of 500 µg/m³ equates to approximately 23 cigarettes a day. In particularly toxic hotspots, where PM2.5 may spike to 1,000 µg/m³, exposure could be comparable to smoking over 45 cigarettes daily. Continuous exposure to such high pollution levels can cause damage equivalent to years of smoking in just a few weeks, particularly in vulnerable populations.”
Precautions to take
Dr Shivakumar suggests the following:
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| Category | Measures |
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| Indoor Measures |
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| Outdoor Measures |
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| Dietary and Lifestyle Support |
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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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