Smog season survival: Protecting your lungs in polluted cities

As the winter chill settles over Indian cities, another, more sinister blanket descends smog.

- TDG NETWORK

The hazy, grey air we inhale each morning isn't just a seasonal inconvenience; it’s a health emergency. With pollution levels spiking every year, smog has become an unwelcome guest in urban life, bringing with it respiratory distress, fatigue, and long-term health risks. Protecting your lungs during this “smog season” is no longer optional it's essential.

Smog is a toxic mix of pollutants nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). These microscopic particles penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation and compromising respiratory function.

In high concentrations, smog can exacerbate asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also lead to fatigue, headaches, eye irritation, and reduced immunity. Children, the elderly, and people with preexisting heart or lung conditions are especially vulnerable.