New Delhi, Dec 5 || Amid continuing poor air quality in the national capital, doctors on Friday noted that air pollution can not only harm your lungs or lead to cardiac illness but can also heighten anxiety and trigger panic-like symptoms.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 323 at 8 am on Friday morning, keeping the city in the “very poor” category, as residents woke up to a thick layer of haze.
“Pollution also affects mental health. When pollution increases, air quality deteriorates, leading to a lack of oxygen. The body does not receive the required amount of oxygen, which affects the brain,” Dr. Nand Kumar, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, told.
“The brain needs oxygen to function properly, and a lack of oxygen impairs its function, leading to emotional disconnection. Therefore, air pollution also impacts mental health,” Kumar explained.