Air pollution is a major contributor to lung disease, but a study shows that it can damage most other organ systems of the body. The environmental factors have also been linked with the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and it has now been established that the environmental exposures of particles like trichloroethene (TCE), silica, mercury, pristane etc are linked with the higher risk of autoimmune diseases.

“The autoimmune diseases like autoimmune hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis (SSc), are chronic and potentially life-threatening inflammatory disorders, but it is evident that such diseases are influenced by genetic, hormonal and environmental factors”, said Dr Uma Kumar – Prof & Head, Department of Rheumatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

“Study has established that there is a relation between the environmental factors and the autoimmune diseases. In a study, we had observed that the inflammatory levels of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis rose when exposed to the PM2.5”, said Kumar.

“In a study conducted in the Delhi NCR some year back, it was observed that more than two thirds of the population had the inflammatory markers and occupational stress markers positive. And, out of total, 18 per cent have an autoimmune antibody positive that suggests that subclinical autoimmunity was being developed in them”, Kumar added.

“The rising air pollutants are causing stillbirth and premature death among those women living in polluted ambience”, added Bajaj.

“Along with causing detrimental effects on the respiratory diseases, the air pollution may lead to lower immunity in pregnancy with worsening complications like fetal growth restriction. Vulnerable age groups like babies, children, adolescents, pregnant women are most vulnerable to air pollution. Vehicular emissions and outdoor pollution along with indoor pollution like dust, viruses, bacteria contribute to adverse outcomes. Small particulate matter are transmitted in maternal lungs and get carried to the foetus through placental circulation. This leads to preterm labour, miscarriages and low birth weight”, said Obstretician & Gynaecologist, Dr Rinku Sengupta Dhar.

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