High Air Quality Index (AQI) concentrations, particularly those of PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles, have a direct toxic effect on lung tissue and increase the risk of developing lung cancer by entering deep into the alveoli, resulting in chronic inflammation and DNA mutations. The long-term exposure at the level of AQI 150 or higher provokes oxidative stres,s which causes adenocarcinoma even in non-smokers, and the research results suggest that the risk of getting it increases by 9 per cent with every 10 ug/m3 increase in PM2.5, especially in polluted cities such as Delhi, where AQI tends to reach 250+. These small particulates of vehicle emissions, industry and biomass burning evade lung defences, which facilitates fibrosis, COPD development and oncogenic alterations that translate into tumours after 5-10 years. The children and the elderly are more susceptible, and in India, deaths related to lung cancer have increased by 5.9% due to the trend with the pollutants that can be compared to smoking 26 cigarettes per day, promoting cell mutations. Damage is prevented by mitigation through N95 masks, indoor air purifiers and antioxidants such as Vitamin C, but systemic reductions in fossil fuel intake are needed to prevent the 15-28% COPD-to-cancer pathway.
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MBH/PS