POLLUTION

Black Patches Found in the Lungs of Many Pune Residents; Doctors Blame City’s Deteriorating Air Quality

Representational image (Uma Kadam/BCCL) — Representational image
(Uma Kadam/BCCL)

Lately, hospitals in Pune have been reporting black patches in patients' lungs. And experts blame the air pollution in the city.

Developing black patches in the lungs can lead to diminished air exchange and oxygen to blood circulation. This, in turn, could lead to progressive breathlessness, cough with or without phlegm production, and eventually respiratory failure.

Experts suggest the lungs are directly exposed to the outside environment via the air tract.

"Taking in polluted air, either in the form of the environment's fine particulate matter like air pollutant PM2.5, cigarette smoke or industrial organic, inorganic dust exposure, can lead to their deposition in lungs. This leads to permanent black patches," an expert told TOI.

While Pune's air quality index (AQI) has remained 'moderate' for the most part, data from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has shown that the levels of particulate matter were very high. Further, the AQI remained "severe" in the city from November 21 to 24, 2022.

"Pune's air is highly polluted. Some of the major reasons for this are the ongoing building constructions in and around the city, the burning of dried leaves and tyres and vehicular pollution. Though the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations are against the burning of waste and have norms, their implementation is lax. There has to be stern actions against such offenders," said Sundeep Salvi, president of the Indian Chest Society and Director of Pulmocare Research and Education (PURE) Foundation.

Black lung patches are just one of the many symptoms resulting from exposure to air pollution. Poor air quality can also cause asthma and impact the heart and other organs.

Implementing strict rules in place, improving public transport, wearing masks while going out, drinking plenty of fluids and eating lots of fruit can help minimise the damage caused by air pollution.

(With inputs from TOI)

**

For weather, science, space, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It's free!

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives.