Doctors and public health experts have raised serious concerns over a sharp rise in lung cancer cases among non-smokers in the National Capital Region, attributing the trend largely to Delhi’s persistently toxic air quality. According to The Times of India, in recent years, medical institutions across the city have reported an increasing number of lung cancer patients who have never smoked – a pattern that defies traditional risk factors.
Dr. Arvind Kumar, a leading thoracic surgeon and founder of the Institute of Chest Surgery at Medanta Hospital, pointed out that exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 has now become the dominant cause of lung-related ailments, including cancer. “Almost 50% of my lung cancer patients today are non-smokers. This was unthinkable two decades ago,” he noted.
Toxic Air and Tumours: The New Link
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) regularly falls under the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories, especially in winter months. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and ozone is now strongly linked to not just respiratory disorders but malignant growths in the lungs, particularly adenocarcinoma, which is the most common form of lung cancer in non-smokers.
According to pulmonologists, these harmful particles bypass the nasal filtration system and settle deep into the lung tissues, leading to chronic inflammation, genetic mutations, and ultimately tumour formation. This makes air pollution one of the leading environmental carcinogens in urban India.
More Than Just Smoking: Other Hidden Culprits
Besides ambient air pollution, other underestimated causes are contributing to the spike in non-smoker lung cancer cases. These include:
- Secondhand smoke exposure in homes and public spaces
- Indoor pollution from biomass fuels and traditional cooking methods
- Occupational hazards in factories, construction sites, and heavy-traffic areas
- Radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, especially in poorly ventilated basements
- Genetic predisposition or family history of cancer
Together, these factors form a complex web of risks that make Delhi residents vulnerable, regardless of their smoking history.
Experts Call It a Public Health Emergency
Health experts say the issue has now escalated beyond individual choices. “We are witnessing a silent epidemic. You may never have picked up a cigarette, but just by living and breathing in Delhi, you are at risk,” warned Dr. Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS and renowned pulmonologist.
A joint study by the Lung Care Foundation and other environmental bodies has suggested that children and young adults are showing early signs of lung damage due to prolonged exposure to polluted air — raising fears of an even greater cancer burden in the coming decades.
What Can Be Done?
Experts recommend a multi-pronged approach:
- Immediate enforcement of clean air policies
- Public awareness campaigns about indoor pollutants
- Promotion of green infrastructure and reduction of vehicular emissions
- Encouraging regular health screenings, even for non-smokers
Until then, residents are advised to use N95 masks, install indoor air purifiers, and avoid outdoor activities during high pollution days.
Photo for representation
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