Rising pollution and lung cancer rate in India

Lung cancer is one such cancer which affects many people and is caused due to factors like smoking, unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to radiation, lead-infused smoke, smog and other irritants. However, pollution is fast emerging as one of the main responsible factors for the high incidence of lung cancer. As per an article published in Hindustan Times *, air pollution is linked to lung cancer among non-smoking youth and women.

Vehicular and industrial emissions and emissions due to stubble burning are the primary causes of air pollution in India and despite the administrative measures taken by the government from time to time, such emissions continue without respite. In fact, there are orders by Supreme Court and respective state governments against stubble burning but on the ground-level, there is no control mechanism in place. The quality of air that we breathe in cities across India has deteriorated by large extent from what it used to be earlier.

The whole situation can be understood clearly by considering many changes that have occurred in the society. Indian economy is listed as one of the fastest growing economies of the world. This directly implies that infrastructure development is taking place at a fast pace and new projects are coming up. While from the developmental point of view, this is quite welcome, unfortunately the value of environment conservation gets undermined in the process. Trees are felled indiscriminately and the forest cover in cities has depleted tremendously. This has led to increased level of Carbon Dioxide in the air volume. Added to this are the harmful ingredients of vehicle smoke like lead, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide etc. The increased purchasing power of the general population and the subsequent increase in the number of private vehicles is continuously compounding this problem.

The pollution due to industrial units in India is also on the rise. Rapid industrialization of rural areas and setting up of manufacturing hubs across India is contributing vastly to this problem. The poor state of implementing green or eco-friendly technologies has further complicated the problem and the trend is not expected to change anytime soon. The Indian capital - New Delhi is currently ranked among the top most polluted cities in the world and the air quality has deteriorated to such an extent that every year, the normal course of life of the citizens is badly affected. All these factors and the resulting pollution has a direct impact on the rate at which lung cancer affects people as the ingredients of air pollution are known carcinogens and are extremely hazardous in nature.

The importance of being financially secure in case of any cancer-related contingency is very well known. HDFC Life offers HDFC Life Cancer Care in India-a cancer specific plan that ensures that your finances are protected in case of any such occurrence. For further details, kindly click on the mentioned link: https://www.hdfclife.com/health-insurance-plans/cancer-care-insurance. 

*https://www.hindustantimes.com/health/air-pollution-is-linked-to-lung-cancer-among-non-smoking-youth-women/story-af1lsqAxSi2HtwcMbq8FQJ.html