Air pollution increases chronic lung disease risk

New Delhi, July 09(ANI): Air pollution has come up as a major concern in the modern world considering its long-lasting and serious effects on human lungs. Exposure to outdoor air pollution is linked to decreased lung function and an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), recent findings suggest. COPD is a long-term condition linked to reduced lung function that causes inflammation in the lungs and a narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult. Lung function normally declines as we age, but the new research, published in the European Respiratory Journal, suggests that air pollution may contribute to the ageing process and adds to the evidence that breathing in polluted air harms the lungs. Spirometry is a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions by measuring how much air can be breathed out in one forced breath. The researchers found that people exposed to higher levels of pollutants had lower lung function equiv