Air pollution reduces life expectancy and makes people older faster

New Delhi: The increasing pollution levels in several developed and developing cities across the world, including Delhi, are not only creating issues for our lungs and other organs but also shortening our life expectancy by increasing our age biologically faster. India has been suffering from severe pollution issues for many years. According to the data, three metropolitan cities of the country, like Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, are being declared among the most polluted cities by IQAir.

It is estimated that above 4.3 million urban people are likely to die prematurely amid high pollution levels by 2050. India, China, the United States, and numerous European nations have been struggling with pollution problems, harming the environment, affecting human health, and reducing life expectancy.

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Air pollution contains numerous harmful substances, such as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Industries and vehicles emissions are mostly responsible for making the air quality poor. Exposure in such an atmosphere can cause serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, along with brain-related disorders.

As per the recent scientific research, telomeres make people older at a fast rate. This situation occurs because of small structures in our DNA called telomeres. The function of telomeres is to protect human beings chromosomes from any harm. The moment our body’s cells divide, it becomes shorter, and it is related to aging. Therefore, scientists think that spending life in a polluted atmosphere can shrink telomeres faster, causing early aging and bringing a lot of diseases as well.