A Problem must be Understood Before it can be Solved
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution is the presence of harmful physical, chemical and biological substances in the atmosphere at concentrations that can adversely affect human health and the environment.
It is not just PM2.5.
It is a complex mixture of:
- Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5 and ultrafine particles)
- Gaseous pollutants
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Heavy metals
- Biological contaminants
- Persistent organic pollutants and other toxic compounds
Types of Air Pollution
There are many different types of air pollutants.
PM 2.5 is just one pollutant out of thousands.
These pollutants are both indoors and outdoors, and persist throughout the year.
All these pollutants create the same element that causes all problems-
FREE RADICALS.
A type of Free Radical is - ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) - which is also produced inside our bodies.
The ROS generated because of these pollutants due to biochemical reactions inside our bodies create Oxidative Stress
It is important to be aware of these pollutants and their classifications, and their impact on the human body
Types of Air PollutantsSources of Air Pollution
India’s highly toxic air environment is generally attributed to a few major factors such as vehicles, stubble burning and industrial pollution.
While these are legitimate sources of air pollution, these are not the only ones. There are other major factors that are, perhaps, even more damaging than the most popular ones.
Poor understanding of the Reasons for Air Pollution leads to misguided actions and policymaking.
The result is what we have been experiencing- Increasing air pollution day by day and year after year.
Oxidative Stress
When iron or steel is exposed to oxygen and moisture, it reacts to form Iron Oxide (reddish-brown rust).
This process, known as Oxidation, leads to the total destruction of structural integrity in metals.
A similar destruction happens inside your body when it is subject to Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is a physiological imbalance.
It occurs when there are too many Oxidants (Free Radicals) and not enough Antioxidants to neutralize them.
This imbalance leads to cellular deterioration, similar to how rust eats away at metal. It is the root cause of cellular dysfunction, tissue damage, and degenerative disease.
Beyond the Lungs: 200+ Chronic Diseases
Sources: FIRS Review via PubMed Central / State of Global Air Report; European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 290, 2025
Internal Corrosion: How Air Pollution “Rusts” Your Body
