Environmental Pollution and Its Impact on Human Health
June 9, 2026
At a time when pollution in the Delhi-NCR region and large swathes of Northern India have become a raging national debate, those living in eastern parts of the country might not be quite safe either. Environmental pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing public health concerns in Eastern India, especially in densely populated urban areas such as Kolkata, along with other parts of the region.
Rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, vehicular emissions, waste accumulation, and contamination of water bodies have significantly affected the quality of air, water, and soil across the region.
In recent years, health experts and environmental researchers have increasingly linked pollution to rising cases of allergies, respiratory illnesses, heart disease, kidney disorders, neurological conditions, and even various forms of cancer. For urban centres such as Kolkata, where high population density, traffic congestion, and climatic conditions worsen pollution levels, the impact on public health has become particularly alarming.
Eastern India, particularly the Indo-Gangetic belt covering parts of West Bengal and Bihar, has been identified as one of the major particulate matter pollution zones in the country. Recent studies have shown a steady rise in PM2.5 and PM10 levels across the region over the last two decades.
Kolkata frequently records poor or moderate-to-unhealthy levels on AQI (Air Quality Index), especially during winter months when atmospheric stagnation traps pollutants near the ground. Vehicular emissions, biomass burning, industrial pollutants, road dust, construction activities, and open waste burning are among the leading contributors.
Apart from air pollution, contamination of the Hooghly River and surrounding water systems due to industrial discharge, untreated sewage, medical waste, and overflowing urban wate has become another major concern in West Bengal.
Environmental pollution affects nearly every organ system of the human body. While children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing diseases are at greater risk, prolonged exposure can impact healthy individuals as well.
Air pollution is strongly associated with respiratory illnesses such as:
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Bronchitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Lung infections
- Reduced lung capacity in children
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing chronic inflammation and breathing difficulties. Studies conducted with samples from Kolkata have demonstrated a strong association between pollution exposure and increased respiratory morbidity.
Pollution does not only affect the lungs. Long-term exposure to polluted air significantly increases the risk of:
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Arrhythmias
- Ischemic heart disease
Recent research has identified ischemic heart disease as one of the leading causes of premature deaths linked to PM2.5 exposure in Kolkata.
Exposure to toxic pollutants, industrial chemicals, cigarette smoke, heavy metals, and hazardous airborne particles increases the risk of various cancers, including:
- Lung cancer
- Oral cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Skin cancer
Pollution-related carcinogens are particularly dangerous for people exposed over long durations in industrial and high-traffic areas.
Contaminated water sources contribute to diarrhoea and similar diseases, hepatitis, gastrointestinal infections, kidney disorders, and heavy metal toxicity, which in turn lead to further complications. Pollution of the Hooghly River and urban drainage systems poses serious risks to communities dependent on local water resources.
Studies have revealed that children exposed to pollution may develop reduced lung growth, frequent infections, allergies, and even developmental concerns. On the other hand, elderly individuals often experience worsening of chronic illnesses due to poor air quality and heat stress.
Kolkata faces unique environmental challenges due to dense traffic congestion, narrow roads and ageing infrastructure, high population density, industrial clusters within or quite close to residential areas, humid climatic conditions, seasonal winter smog, road dust and construction emissions.
Studies have identified road dust as one of Kolkata’s largest pollution sources, contributing significantly to suspended particulate matters such as PM10 and PM2.5 levels. Additionally, rising levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃) have emerged as new concerns in the city’s air quality profile.
With pollution-related diseases rising across Eastern India, preventive healthcare and early diagnosis are becoming increasingly important. Timely screening, lifestyle management, respiratory assessment, cardiac evaluation, and specialist consultations can help reduce long-term complications.
People living in urban areas like Kolkata should especially monitor:
- Persistent cough
- Breathlessness
- Chest discomfort
- Fatigue
- Frequent allergies
- Reduced exercise tolerance
Ignoring these symptoms may delay diagnosis of serious underlying conditions.
Expert Opinion:-
Environmental pollution has become a major public health concern, with rising levels of air pollution significantly affecting respiratory health across all age groups. Continuous exposure to pollutants such as particulate matter, vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, and harmful gases can increase the risk of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory infections, lung cancer, and reduced lung function. Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing lung conditions are particularly vulnerable. Adopting preventive measures, minimizing exposure to pollutants, and seeking timely medical evaluation for persistent respiratory symptoms are essential for protecting lung health. At Desun Hospital, we emphasize early diagnosis, preventive respiratory care, and advanced pulmonary treatment to help patients safeguard their lungs and improve their quality of life.”
-Dr. Madhu Priya
Consultant Pulmonologist
Desun Hospital, Kolkata
Desun Hospital offers comprehensive multi-speciality care to diagnose, manage, and treat several health conditions linked to environmental pollution and urban lifestyle risks.
The hospital provides specialised care for:
- Asthma
- COPD
- Lung infections
- Sleep-related breathing disorders
- Allergy management
- Critical respiratory emergencies
Advanced diagnostic support and intensive care facilities help manage acute and chronic respiratory conditions effectively.
Desun Hospital offers advanced cardiac services including:
- Preventive cardiology
- Cardiac diagnostics
- Heart attack management
- Interventional cardiology
- Critical cardiac care
This becomes particularly relevant as pollution increasingly contributes to cardiovascular disease burden.
The hospital provides
multidisciplinary cancer care services for patients suffering from pollution and tobacco-related cancers, including:
Environmental toxins and contaminated water exposure can affect kidney function over time. Desun Hospital offers:
With rising pollution-linked respiratory and cardiac emergencies, Desun Hospital’s emergency and critical care infrastructure plays a vital role in timely intervention.
The hospital offers:
- 24x7 Emergency & Trauma Care
- Advanced ICU support
- Critical care specialists
- Rapid emergency response systems
While government policies, pollution control initiatives, cleaner fuel adoption, and sustainable urban planning remain essential, public awareness and preventive healthcare are equally important in combating pollution-related health risks.
Simple lifestyle measures that can significantly reduce long-term health complications are:
- Wearing masks during high AQI days
- Avoiding outdoor exposure during peak pollution hours
- Using clean drinking water
- Maintaining indoor air quality
- Regular health check-ups
- Avoiding smoking and tobacco exposure
As Kolkata and Eastern India continues to urbanise rapidly, the need for environmentally conscious healthcare systems and advanced medical infrastructure becomes more critical than ever. Hospitals like Desun Hospital are playing an important role in addressing the growing burden of pollution-related diseases through integrated, multi-speciality medical care and preventive health initiatives.
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