Hyderabad: Air pollution to haunt for three generations

Hyderabad: Air pollution has been proven to cause damage to nerve cells and cause neurodegenerative diseases. Neurologists say that this why city dwellers feel drai-ned at the end of the day. 

Dr Rahul Nath, a neurosurgeon, says, “When you breathe in harmful chemicals throughout the day, the brain cannot repair its nerves. It requires clean energy to carry out any function. Toxic gases such as nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide, if inhaled, eventually reach the brain and have a harmful effect on the cells. If the cells fail to regenerate, then this results in neurodegenerative diseases.”

Neurologists say that airborne lead particles are particularly harmful. Lead is used by and released by oil refineries.

Air pollution has been known to cause genetic anomalies in children. A recent study has revealed that exposure to excessive pollution can cause asthma in up to three generations of offspring. Gynaecologists say that this happens because immune cells, which play a key role in lung-related diseases, are generated by the mother. Sasikala Kola, a gyna-ecologist, says, “The air that a mother bre-athes dictates foetal development. If the mother is exposed to more pollutants, it co-uld lead to the translocation of genetic material.” If pregnant women are exposed to polluted air, it could cause their babies to have low birth weights. Dr Vimme Bhindra, a gynaecologist, says, “We see more low weight babies and premature deliveries in urban areas. This could be because of the fumes that the mothers inhale during pregnancy.” 

Doctors stress the importance of breathing clean air during the first trimester to ensure proper growth of the foetus. They caution that problems in the first trimester could lead to complications in the future.