Climate and air pollution are creating a perfect storm for lung health, experts say
Health experts in India warn that climate change and worsening air pollution are worsening respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD, with children and vulnerable groups most at risk. Doctors report increased flare-ups, longer recovery periods, and long-term lung damage due to heat, pollution, and extreme weather events, demanding stronger public health measures.
India’s respiratory health crisis is worsening as climate change and air pollution combine to trigger more severe respiratory diseases, according to health experts. Rising temperatures, prolonged exposure to pollutants, wildfire smoke, and elevated ground-level ozone are causing airway inflammation and exacerbating conditions like asthma, allergic bronchitis, and recurrent infections. Dr Vineela Surapaneni, a pulmonary medicine consultant at SPARSH Hospital in Bengaluru, notes that patients are experiencing more frequent flare-ups and longer recovery periods during extreme heat and poor air quality. The situation is particularly acute in India, where air pollution is already a major health challenge. Dr Animesh Arya, Director of Respiratory Medicine at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in Delhi, explains that extreme heat, stagnant air, and prolonged pollution episodes are making respiratory illnesses more severe, especially among children, older adults, and outdoor workers. Children are especially vulnerable because their developing lungs absorb more pollutants relative to their body weight, risking long-term impairment. Doctors warn that continuous exposure to polluted air may prevent children from reaching full lung capacity, increasing their risk of chronic respiratory diseases later in life. Dr Arya emphasizes that the concern extends beyond immediate symptoms like coughing or wheezing to long-term lung development issues. Healthcare systems may face growing strain as climate-linked respiratory diseases rise over the next decade. Dr Pritpal Kaur, a senior pulmonology consultant at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Delhi, calls for stronger early-warning systems for heatwaves and pollution spikes, better emergency planning for asthma and COPD flare-ups, and greater public awareness about indoor air quality. She stresses that respiratory health must be integrated into climate resilience planning, urban development, and public health strategies to mitigate the worsening crisis.
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