New Delhi: We’ve all checked the AQI app at some point, thinking, “It’s not too bad today, I can head out.” But what if that “okay” air quality isn’t telling the full story? What if there’s something far more harmful in the air, something you can’t see but that could be affecting your health with every breath? If you’ve been dealing with a persistent winter cough, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s really in the air around you.
Dr. Akash Shah, Vice President-Technical, Neuberg Diagnostics, spoke about the poor AQI conditions and what risks are involved with the same.
When we think about pollution, most of us imagine smog or dust. But the truth is, air pollution carries more than just visible particles. Hidden in that air could be toxic metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. These metals can sneak into your body without you even realising it. They travel deep into your lungs, enter your bloodstream, and spread throughout your body, impacting not just your lungs, but your heart, liver, and even your brain.
During the high-pollution days, especially in cities with poor AQI, these metals are often carried by fine dust particles (called PM2.5) into your lungs. From there, they can move through your body, triggering symptoms that go beyond just a cough. One of the first signs of heavy metal exposure is often fatigue, followed by brain fog and difficulty focusing. That’s because these metals trigger inflammation in the body, which can lead to headaches, mood swings, and a weakened immune system, making you more vulnerable to getting sick.
This is more dangerous for children and the elderly, as their bodies are more sensitive. If you’re noticing sudden tiredness for no reason, irritability, or even delays in your child’s development, or if your elderly relatives are showing signs of shortness of breath or fatigue, it’s something that shouldn’t be ignored.
If you are also observing symptoms similar to these, then a heavy metal test is worth giving a shot. Early detection is better than dealing with permanent damage. These tests, which check for metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium in blood or urine, will not only help doctors to suggest the best treatment but will also give you peace of mind.
The bottom line is this: we need to start thinking about air quality more broadly. It’s not just about the visible smog or dust, it’s about what might be floating around that we can’t see. With the help of right guidance and testing, we can prevent ourselves from getting affected by these hidden dangers and take a peaceful breath knowing we’ve taken necessary action. Because sometimes, the bigger threats are the ones that often go unnoticed.