Toxic air PM2.5 pollution may fuel rheumatoid arthritis cases

A new health crisis is emerging as air pollution may be silently triggering rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most debilitating autoimmune diseases worldwide, experts said on Thursday.

- CORRESPONDENT

At the 40th annual conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRACON 2025) being held from October 9-12 at the Yashobhoomi here, leading rheumatologists cited alarming evidence that toxic air and PM2.5 pollution could be fuelling a surge in rheumatoid arthritis cases across Delhi-NCR.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, especially the joints, causing persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, and disability.

Traditionally linked to genetics and immune system dysfunction, RA is now increasingly being associated with environmental triggers such as air pollution.

Delhi, one of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, has emerged as a hotbed of concern, the experts said.

Recent studies in Europe, China, and now in India, suggest that exposure to PM2.5, the dangerous fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs, may be linked not only to heart and lung diseases, but also to autoimmune disorders like RA.