What happens to the respiratory system due to air pollution?

Dr. Pham Thi Le Quyen, Respiratory Department, Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, said fine dust particles were able to penetrate deep into the airway, even passing the alveoli into the blood, reducing the natural protection of the lungs. After exposure to polluted air, the body may appear acute symptoms such as airway irritation, cough, throat itching, sore throat, runny nose or sneezing. At the same time, pollutants cause respiratory mucosa, activating bronchospasm, leading to shortness of breath, feeling of severe chest. The body also reacts by increasing mucus secretion to try to eliminate the invasion agent.

Prolonged contact with polluted air for a few days to several weeks can worsen the available chronic respiratory disease, causing dangerous exacerbations. The immune system of the lungs can weaken, making the body more likely to be attacked by viruses and bacteria, increasing the risk of bronchitis, pneumonia.

According to Dr. Quyen, people living in air pollution for a long time may have chronic inflammation, leading to impaired lung function. This is a risk factor for promoting or aggravating chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), asthma. Prolonged lung structure damage can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. PM2.5 fine dust also increases the risk of lung cancer.

The degree of influence of polluted air depends on many factors such as concentration, type of pollutant, time, frequency of contact, and location of each person. Children, the elderly, people with respiratory or cardiovascular disease are vulnerable to air pollution.

Dr. Quyen recommends that people minimize exposure to polluted air, regularly monitor the air quality index (AQI), avoid outdoor activities on bad index days. The family keeps the door clean, uses the air purifier with HEPA filter, wearing a standard mask when out. Avoid coming to pollution areas like construction sites.

If the cough is persistent, shortness of breath increases, chest pain or abnormal symptoms, patients need a respiratory specialist to be diagnosed and treated promptly. People with chronic respiratory diseases should comply with the doctor’s treatment.