Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the excessive emission of smoke in the kitchen and ultraviolet rays increases the lungs and respiratory diseases;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has taken any step to check the same; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) to (d): Air pollution is known to be one of the aggravating factors for many respiratory ailments and cardiovascular disease. The exposure to air pollution is associated with breathing and respiratory problems, aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, adverse effects on the immune system, damage to the lung tissue and is also carcinogenetic. Several epidemiological studies have shown an association between particulate air pollution and exacerbations of illness in people with respiratory disease as well as rise in the number of deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory disease among older people.
National Health Profile (NHP), 2013 reports that the prevalence of acute respiratory infections is almost constant over the last years but has shown a slight increase in 2013.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) carried out a multicentric study in 12 districts in different parts of India to determine nationwide population prevalence and risk factors for asthma and Chronic Bronchitis (CB) in adults. The overall prevalence of asthma and Chronic Bronchitis was respectively 2.05% (adults aged > 15 years) and 3.49% (adults aged > 35 years). Advancing age, smoking, household environmental tobacco smoke exposure, asthma in a first- degree relative, and use of unclean cooking fuels (the major source of indoor air pollution) were associated with increased odds of asthma and Chronic Bronchitis. The National burden of asthma and Chronic Bronchitis was estimated at respectively 17.23 and 14.48 million.