tirupati: A silent killer is farming. Healthcare professionals have noted a sharp increase in the number of women suffering from chronic respiratory diseases associated with indoor air pollution.
According to a recent study, doctors from the Department of Pulmonary Science at the SVR RUIA Government General Hospital reported an increase in cases related to conventional domestic customs, including burning incense, using camphor in enclosed rooms and poor ventilation.
As many as 3,802 outpatients were given to patients in January and February this year alone, with 472 patients receiving treatment, with women accounting for nearly 20 to 30% of these cases.
This trend has been noticed in men before, according to Dr. S Subba Rao, head of the Department of Pulmonary Science. Now, among women, such cases have been steadily rising. “We’re seeing more women with symptoms associated with prolonged exposure to indoor smoke and poor ventilation,” he said.
Previously, the causes of respiratory illness were attributed to occupational exposure or smoking in men. Now, this is reported from housewives and older women.
One such patient, Yamini, is a resident of Tirupati. She had long-term breathing difficulties. After examination, the doctor linked her condition to daily rituals involving incense and camphor. “Lighting these items in a non-disiased space will lead to a buildup of thick smoke. Continuing inhalation can lead to chronic respiratory distress,” the host said.
Another patient from Sunitha, rural Tirupati, reported that similar symptoms were eventually traced to mild gas leakage and insufficient ventilation in the kitchen. She is advised to improve the airflow and install an exhaust fan.
Dr. Rao attributes the surge to the often overlooked indoor environment exposure. “We’re seeing more cases in households using biomass fuels, poor cooking environments or insufficient ventilation. Combined with dust and smoke exposure, these conditions have worsened lung health,” he said.
Contributing factors include longer life expectancy and associated chronic diseases for women, as well as passive smoking, unclean air conditioning filters, processed food consumption and a sedentary lifestyle. “Together these issues increase sensitivity to chronic respiratory disease. However, increased awareness and early diagnosis may make a difference,” Subba Rao said.
Experts also warn of the effects of commonly used Puja materials. D Hari, a retired chemistry professor from the VELS Institute in Chennai, pointed out that burning a single incense stick in an enclosed space can increase the PM2.5 level to 45-60 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the national 24-hour limit of 40 micrograms.
“Fragrance, camphor and biomass fuel emit pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde and ultrafine particles. Long-term exposure in narrow spaces can cause asthma, allergic rhinitis and bronchitis,” he said.
A paper in the National Journal of Community Medicine links long-term indoctrination to decreased lung function and persistent cough. Another study in Lung India reported that smoked women exposed to more than a decade showed a significant decline in FEV1 and forced vitality (FVC), increasing their risk of COPD and other chronic lung diseases.
Harry noted that the level of formaldehyde burning in campgrounds can range from 3 to 5 billion (PPB), much higher than the WHO recommended limit of 10 ppb. “Ultrairon particles can penetrate deep into lung tissue and cause inflammation, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.”
Subba Rao recommends regular pulmonary function tests for individuals over the age of 40, especially those with a history of asthma or tuberculosis. He recommends improving airflow in the kitchen and fuge room, cleaning the AC filter regularly, using high-quality incense and reducing vehicle emissions. “Indoor air pollution is an increasingly serious concern. Small changes in daily habits can significantly reduce the burden on respiratory diseases,” he said.
