What air pollution does to women in India

People are travelling out of cities like Delhi to cleaner locations to escape the pollution that has come to mark North India's winters.

- Lalita Panicker

Bans and other restrictions seem to have little effect as air pollution soars to dangerous levels. Crop stubble burning adds a toxic mix of particulate matter to the already polluted air. While everyone is affected, this pollution affects women more, especially pregnant women and their unborn children. Physiological changes during pregnancy increase the chances of adverse impacts.

Studies show air pollution can cause miscarriages, premature birth, low birth-weight, and poor post-partum maternal health. Many women have weakened respiratory systems from indoor air pollution from cooking fuels like wood and dung—leaving them all the more vulnerable to outdoor air pollution. Cardiovascular diseases exacerbated by air pollution manifest differently in women who may not display the classic symptoms and, hence, do not get treatment on time, if at all. They are compelled to work outside, whether in agriculture or construction, and suffer prolonged exposure to the toxic air.