Study Finds Clear Link Between Pollution And Lung Health
Times of India | 20 July 2026
Kolkata: From airway inflammation to increased susceptibility to respiratory infection and reduced lung function, pollution is taking an increasing toll on lung health of individuals.
Doctors said children whose lungs are yet to get developed are the most vulnerable to the rising pollution.
The impact of air pollution on lung health was among the important topics discussed at a meet organised by The Association of Chest Physicians (ACP), West Bengal on Sunday.
Doctors said there has been an increase in number of children with common complaints like persistent or recurrent cough, wheezing sound while breathing, shortness of breath, frequent colds , increased mucus production. They point out that in majority of these cases rising pollution level is to be blamed. “If we fail to improve air quality today, we are not merely treating more childhood asthma, we are creating a generation that may never achieve its full lung capacity,” said Mostafi Ahamed of respiratory medicine department.
Not just in winters when the pollution level is high, but doctors said they keep getting such cases throughout the year. While chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the elderly is often linked to smoking, experts said long term exposure to pollution puts children at risk for COPD and other lung diseases. The scientific session at the state ACP’s fourth Mid-Term Conference – Pulmonology 2026 was held at KPC Medical College. Discussions on COPD, interstitial lung disease, drug-resistant tuberculosis, bronchoscopy and other lung health topics were held.
“The ACP West Bengal 4th Mid-Term Conference – Pulmonology 2026 was a resounding success, with enthusiastic participation from nearly 250 delegates and outstanding scientific sessions, reaffirming its commitment to advancing respiratory medicine and academic excellence,” said Dibyendu Saha, organising secretary of the event said.
ACP West Bengal president, Partha Pratim Roy, and secretary Shelly Shamim said such academic initiatives are vital for strengthening evidence-based respiratory care and fostering medical research. Subhra Mitra, organising chairman along with treasurer Suman Banerjee, said such scientific conferences are aimed at promoting academic excellence in respiratory medicine.
“As doctors, we can prescribe inhalers, antibiotics or oxygen. What we cannot prescribe is clean air. And the responsibility belongs to all of us — citizens, policymakers, industries and civic authorities alike. Every breath matters. The quality of the air we choose to protect today will determine the lung health of the next generation,” said a pulmonologist.