CHENNAI: The incidence of pollution-triggered lung diseases in the urban population is on the rise say respiratory physicians in the city who prescribe early diagnosis and mass education to arrest the trend.

Some of the common factors responsible for lung ailments, primarily chronic bronchitis, include prolonged exposure to petroleum emissions, inhalation of smoke from fuels like wood and hay, dust particles from construction activity.

From history evaluation of patients reporting at Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Vijayalakshmi Thanasekaran says that a majority of them hailed from urban slums where one of the primary sources of pollution was the burning of garbage. Another striking pattern that emerged was the occupation-based predisposition among workers in industries like welding, glass making and quarry mining.

``The incidence of pollution-induced lung disorders is in the 5-7 per cent range among patients we review at SRMC,'' said Dr. Thanasekaran, who is also south zone chairperson of the Indian Chest Society. It is pointed out that the increase in incidence is also probably as much because of lifestyle changes as the availability of the investigation tools for respiratory diseases resulting in increased reporting.

Though empirical evidence from studies that directly link environmental pollution to a significant increase in respiratory disorders is lacking, the perception about increased pollution is a valid one, says Raj B. Singh, respiratory physician, Apollo Hospitals. However, exposure to pollution triggers only some respiratory disorders. It is well established that pollution, including that from allergens, smoke and toxins, does not cause asthma, though it may worsen a pre-existing condition.

Comparable to the results of studies in the West, an asthma-pollution status survey among school children in urban and rural populations in Chennai (2002-03) ruled out any linkage between pollution and asthma.

While exposure to pollution can aggravate asthma in existing patients, there is no evidence to state that it spawned new cases, Dr. Raj Singh pointed out.

However, an important concern in asthma management is the gap in awareness about the benefits of inhaler therapy for asthma control.

This has resulted in a majority of the nearly 14 million patients in the country leading compromised lives, missing school/work, difficulty in having a good night's sleep, refraining from physical activity and sometimes avoiding social interaction.

The results of a 15-point questionnaire distributed by the Respiratory Research Foundation of India recently found that 50 per cent had not been informed by physicians that steroid should be used regularly and only 30 per cent used inhalers as advised to.

While 42 per cent of the patients used inhalers on a need basis alone, 10 per cent did not use it at all under the wrong impression that it led to steroid addiction, was bad for the heart or was to be used sparingly in case of a serious asthma attack.

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