Increasing environmental pollution is now a days gain widespread attention amongst residents living in metro cities such as hazardous level of air pollution in National Capital Delhi. It has tremendous adverse impact on human health and can induce cancer as well.
Meet Dr. Sandeep Nayak, Director of Surgical Oncology, Robotic & Laparoscopy at Fortis Hospitals- Bangalore, who shares his view on environmental pollution and its adverse impact on human health with an interview with www.theearthview.in
A) What are the major carcinogens elements that are present in the polluted environment i.e. polluted air or contaminated water that can damage our health?
There are many known and unknown chemicals that can damage us. More than the chemicals the fine dust in the air that is inhaled can damage lungs. In 2013 outdoor air pollution was declared carcinogenic, as these are dust particles that are one-millionth of a meter, which comes from vehicle fumes and factories. The smallest of these particles called PM10 and PM2.5 are mainly implicated in lung cancer. 1 in 10 case of lung cancers is due to air pollution. However, it is important to remember that smoking is another big cause of lung cancer. Drinking water has other concerns. Most of the risk is due to arsenic and disinfection byproducts. These chemicals can cause multiple kinds of cancers.
B) What type of cancers was typically caused by industrial effluents and by air pollution?
The research so far has proved that industrial effluents and air pollution can cause lung cancer, skin cancer and urinary bladder cancer.
C) Air Pollution in a few major cities in India is getting worse in the recent past? What precaution a common man can do to reduce its impact on our day-to-day life?
First of all, common man should own this as they are responsible for the pollution and they should make attempts to bring down their carbon footprint. It is necessary that each of us should avoid using the polluting vehicle, reduce the usage of cars, do not burn things, etc.
D) Do you suggest the air purifier, which is being used in home, or offices can prevent from the adverse impact of bad air quality?
Yes, they do help by filtering the most dangerous dust particles.
Common man should own this and should make attempts to bring down their carbon footprint- Dr. Sandeep Nayak
E) Is there any specific food habit one must reduce to reduce the impact of carcinogens
The consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables helps a lot in staying healthy. However, it is essential that we should avoid ultra-processed food that can be unhealthy for our body.
F) Lack of environmental awareness results in epidemic across the country. Government is promoting Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for cleanliness, how this initiative can be seen as a stepping-stone for a healthy environment?
Swachh Bharat is mainly for hygiene while pollution is a broader topic than that. It needs a major change in the attitude of people and materialism has to end. We need to look at how to reduce our carbon footprint.
About Dr. Sandeep Nayak
Dr Sandeep Nayak is a senior surgical oncologist (cancer surgeon) who specializes in diagnosing and treating people with cancerous or precancerous conditions. He is widely experienced in both open and minimal access cancer surgeries (laparoscopic and robotic). However, his keen interest is in minimal access surgery, which includes both robotic and laparoscopic cancer surgery, and he is dedicatedly worked in this field over the years and has trained many students in this field. He has a fellowship in laparoscopic & robotic cancer surgery and he is known for his skills in laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgery.
He has authored many research articles in national and international journals. He has also presented award winning papers and invited lectures at medical conferences across the nation and has many scientific presentations to his credit.
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Very insightful interview with Dr Nayak. One way that pollution could be reduced is by making all taxi services electric. Large taxi companies taking that initiative.could certainly bring down pollution. The government should provide additional benefits for those who own electric vehicles. Construction work, which seems to be perpetual in our country, should be done swiftly.