Risk of Infertility due to heavy polluted environment
Accordingly air quality has become a critical health concern that often escapes our immediate awareness, with environmental pollutants now posing a profound threat to human well-being. Take New Delhi, for instance, where air pollution has reached alarming levels as the city’s PM2.5 concentration towers at 58.8 times the World health Organization’s recommended annual threshold, and its air Quality Index routinely surpasses 300. These staggering figures reveal more than just a respiratory health risk; emerging scientific research now suggests that environmental toxins are fundamentally undermining human fertility, transforming air pollution from an atmospheric problem into a deeply personal biological challenge.
Long term exposure to polluted air has been linked to higher risks of miscarriage, preterm births, low birth weights, and developmental anomalies in infants. Polluted water, often contaminated with pesticides, disrupts thyroid function, further complicating ovulation and menstrual health in women. Even indoor environments are not free from these risks, as inadequate ventilation and the use of chemical-laden household products exacerbate hormonal and respiratory problems, making the challenge of managing exposure even greater.
Reducing exposure to pollutants through measures like using air purifiers, avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke, and opting for organic or locally sourced foods can further mitigate risks. On days when pollution levels are particularly high, limiting outdoor activities and wearing protective masks can help reduce inhalation of harmful particles.