Breathless: The Hidden Toll of Air Pollution on Our Health (with Dr. Aneez Ahmed)
We often hear about Jakarta's air pollution rankings, but what exactly does this mean for our health? In our first episode, we spoke with Dr. Aneez Ahmed, a thoracic surgeon with over 15 years of experience, who brings invaluable insights into how air pollution affects our bodies. Beyond his professional expertise, Dr. Aneez has a personal connection to our story - he's the surgeon who successfully operated on our father when he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Understanding Air Pollution's Impact
Air pollution's effects on our health are tied directly to the size of particles we breathe in. According to Dr. Aneez, any particle size less than 0.25 microns is very harmful to our health, and this serves as an international index for grading pollution levels in every country.
Who's Most Affected?
Air pollution particularly impacts two segments:
- Very young people
- Elferly people
The conditions Dr. Aneez commonly sees include:
- Inflammatory conditions
- Bronchitis
- Bronchiolitis
- In worse cases, bronchopneumonia2. Long-term impacts
- Long-term impact
- Unexplained rise in lung cancer among non-smoking populations
- Effects can appear even 10 years after exposure (what doctors call the "latent period")
Beyond the Lungs
While respiratory issues are the most obvious concern, Dr. Aneez explains that air pollution's impact extends throughout the body:
- The Lung as a Filter: The lung is the largest lymphoid organ in the body, acting as our biggest filter
- When the Filter Gets Overwhelmed:
- Effects can spread to the liver
- Can impact the kidneys
- May influence mental health
Dr. Aneez notably points out that people working in densely polluted cities and neighborhoods show mental health impacts - an overlooked but important aspect of air pollution's effects.
The Reality in Jakarta
Dr. Aneez emphasizes that Jakarta's air pollution is "a serious problem" with persistently high PM levels. The challenge comes from multiple sources:
- Vehicle exhaust gases
- Time people spend on roads inhaling pollutants
- Combined effects of various pollutants
Most concerning is that these effects are being "not just not understood, but grossly underestimated" by the population, affecting not just health but overall welfare and economic stability.
Practical Protection Measures
Dr. Aneez recommends several practical steps for protection:
Individual Actions:
- Mask Usage
- Use simple masks for regular days
- Switch to N95 masks when in very polluted areas or dense areas inhaling smoke
- Choose based on pollution levels
- Air Quality Monitoring
- Keep track of PM levels
- Use apps to monitor air quality
- Adjust activities accordingly
- Indoor Air Management
- Air purifiers and new generation deionizers may help
- Most useful when PM is more than 250
- Note: While there's no Class 1 evidence for their effectiveness, they can improve room ambience
Societal Approach:
- Make each other aware of environmental pollution effects
- Pressure healthcare agencies
- Ensure necessary authorities understand the risks
Debunking Common Beliefs
During our conversation, Dr. Aneez addressed several common misconceptions:
Prevention Over Cure
Dr. Aneez emphasizes that the focus should be on prevention rather than control. Healthcare for conditions like bronchitis can far exceed what working individuals can afford, as they need to both earn money and support their families. The motto now from organizations like WHO and the International Association of Lung Cancer isn't about control - it's about prevention and stopping pollution.
Key Takeaways
- Air pollution affects both the very young and very old most severely
- Impacts extend beyond respiratory issues to affect multiple organs
- Mental health can be significantly impacted
- Individual protection measures are important but societal change is crucial
- Prevention should be the primary focus
Important Note: This blog post is based entirely on our podcast conversation with Dr. Aneez Ahmed and represents the discussion and views shared during that interview. While we strive for accuracy in representing our guest's expertise and insights, this content should not be considered as a primary source for academic research, medical advice, or scientific citation. We are podcast hosts sharing educational conversations, not a news organization or academic institution. For the most current and comprehensive information about air pollution and health impacts, please consult scientific journals, academic publications, or certified medical professionals. All medical information shared here is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice