Climate and air pollution are creating a perfect storm for lung health, experts say

Climate change is increasingly being recognised as a major public health threat, with its impact extending far beyond rising temperatures and extreme weather events.

Health experts are now warning that changing climate conditions, worsening air pollution and prolonged heat exposure are creating a growing respiratory health crisis, particularly in countries such as India where environmental challenges already place millions at risk.

The World Health Organisation has repeatedly highlighted air pollution as one of the leading environmental risk factors for disease and premature death. Meanwhile, rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, longer allergy seasons and frequent extreme weather events are amplifying respiratory risks worldwide. Doctors say the effects are no longer theoretical — they are already being seen in clinics and hospitals across the country.

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"Climate change is now directly visible in respiratory practice," said Dr Vineela Surapaneni, Consultant – Pulmonary Medicine, SPARSH Hospital (Bengaluru).

According to her, rising temperatures, prolonged exposure to pollution, wildfire smoke and elevated ground-level ozone are increasingly triggering airway inflammation and worsening respiratory diseases.

"We are seeing patients with asthma, allergic bronchitis and recurrent respiratory infections experiencing more frequent flare-ups, longer recovery periods and a greater need for medical support during episodes of extreme heat and poor air quality," she said.

Doctors said that heat and pollution can act together to increase oxidative stress in the lungs, irritate airways and weaken the body's ability to cope with respiratory triggers. As a result, even patients whose conditions were previously well-controlled are reporting worsening symptoms during pollution spikes or sudden weather changes.

In India, the challenge is particularly acute because climate-related risks are intersecting with existing air-quality concerns.

"Air pollution is already a baseline health challenge in India, and climate change is intensifying it," said Dr Animesh Arya, Director of Respiratory Medicine, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute (Delhi).

He noted that extreme heat, stagnant air, changing weather patterns, increasing allergens and prolonged pollution episodes are making respiratory illnesses more severe, especially among children, older adults, outdoor workers and individuals with pre-existing lung diseases.

Children are among the most vulnerable groups, doctors warn.

Because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more rapidly than adults, children are exposed to a higher volume of pollutants relative to their body weight. Continuous exposure during childhood can impair lung growth and increase the risk of long-term respiratory problems.

"A child repeatedly exposed to polluted air may never achieve full lung capacity," Dr Arya said. "The concern is not only about immediate symptoms such as cough or wheezing, but also about the long-term impact on lung development."

Experts fear that without intervention, more young adults could enter adulthood with reduced lung function, a greater burden of allergies and an increased risk of chronic respiratory diseases.

Healthcare systems may also face growing pressure in the years ahead.

"The next 10 to 20 years could witness a significant rise in climate-linked respiratory diseases if preparedness does not improve," said Dr Pritpal Kaur, Senior Consultant, Pulmonology, Apollo Spectra Hospital (Delhi).

She called for stronger early-warning systems for heatwaves and pollution episodes, better emergency planning for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups, and greater public awareness around indoor air quality.

According to Dr Kaur, respiratory health can no longer be viewed solely as an individual medical issue.

"It must become part of climate resilience planning, urban development and public health policy," she said, adding that closer coordination between healthcare providers, civic agencies and communities is needed to protect vulnerable populations before high-risk weather and pollution events occur.

Doctors stress that prevention remains critical. Measures such as reducing outdoor exposure during severe pollution episodes, using masks when air quality deteriorates, improving ventilation, monitoring air-quality advisories and seeking timely medical attention can help reduce risks.

For respiratory specialists, the message is increasingly clear: climate-related lung damage is no longer a future concern. It is already shaping the health of millions today and could leave lasting consequences for generations to come.