The streets are full of people going about their business. Bikes roar, horns blow, and sellers shout at people walking by. In a city that never sleeps, today is just another day. When the sun goes down behind a cloud of smoke, however, the quiet, unseen enemy in the air tightens its grip on young lungs.
No longer is air pollution just a problem for the environment; it's now a personal one that affects young people more than ever. Every breath you take contains a mix of poisons that you can't see. The air is slowly getting into your lungs through things like the fumes from a fast-moving car and the haze from building dust.
The Alarming Rise of Lung Cancer in Youth
In recent years there has been a drastic increase in lung cancers among young people, especially in cities.
According to a report by the Global Cancer Observatory, over the last decade lung cancers have increased by 15 percent among people aged 20–40. The primary cause of this increase is the rise in air pollution in urban areas.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has clearly stated that lung cancer is no longer limited to smokers or old people.
Toxins in the air, like particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and ozone, damage your lungs and lead to cancer.
Large metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, where the air quality index has already exceeded its limits, are experiencing the problems.
Younger people living in cities are more susceptible to respiratory diseases than those living in rural areas or clean environments, according to a study by AIIMS.
Everyone living in cities and densely populated areas is concerned about the increasing levels of air pollution.
Why the Youth are More at Risk?
It is obvious that youth are more outgoing and physically active. They are travelling to offices, attending colleges, and participating in outdoor activities. Every day, they inhale the toxic air, filling their lungs to capacity.
Regular exposure to toxins causes them to lose their natural lung capacity; the pollutants also cause inflammation in their respiratory system, making breathing difficult and damaging their lungs.
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine Journal's research reveals that regular pollution exposure lowers lung capacity by 10% and increases the risk of diseases such as asthma, sleep apnea, and lung cancer in younger individuals.
What Can Be Done?
We don't need to be helpless and can take charge of our hands with the following measures:
Ask For Clean Air: Give your support and voice to causes like limiting carbon emissions by vehicles, using clean fuel, and strict regulations on industries.
Protect Yourself: Consider using air purifiers at home if feasible, planting trees in your community, and wearing N95 masks in heavily polluted areas.
Stay Informed: Go to the doctor regularly to check the health of your lungs. Early detections of issues like sleep apnea make recovery faster and easier.
Conclusion
Close your eyes tonight and imagine the air filling your lungs. It's more than just air; it's a lifeforce that you can take.
The fight against air pollution is about more than just protecting the world; it is also about protecting ourselves, breath by breath.
The time has come for today's youngsters to step up as tomorrow's torchbearers. Let's make sure the oxygen we breathe is worthy of the health we pursue.