CHAPTER 25. BENEFITS OF CLEAN AIR

from our upcoming book Our Secret Book of Benefits

Just 2 facts are enough to signify the importance of the air we breathe. In one day, a human being takes more than 22,000 breathes & inhales more than 11,000 liters of air. Hence, we decided many years ago, to live in a clean unpolluted place.

And what can be better place than an isolated farm surrounded by forests and lakes?

“ಗಾಳಿ ಛಲೋ ಅದಾ - Ghaali Chalo Ada” meaning that “The Air Is Good Here” – is an age-old phrase in our region, used to denote a pristine unpolluted place where “everything is good”. Clean air signifies that there are plenty of plants, less vehicles, no polluting human activities and no polluting industries.

Breathing clean air offers numerous health benefits:

• Improved Respiratory Health:

  • Reduced risk of respiratory infections: Clean air contains fewer pollutants and irritants, minimizing the risk of infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, and the common cold. Air pollution is directly linked to severe infections like Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Influenza (flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs), Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALRIs), Sinusitis, Pharyngitis, Laryngitis & Exacerbation of existing infections.

  • Improved lung function: Cleaner air allows our lungs to function more efficiently, improving oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal.

  • Reduced asthma and allergy symptoms: People with asthma and allergies can heal completely by living in clean air.

• Cardiovascular Health:

  • Reduced risk of heart disease: Air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. Breathing clean air protects cardiovascular health. Air pollution is linked to almost all severe heart diseases like Atherosclerosis, Coronary artery disease, Heart failure, Arrhythmias, Myocardial infarction (heart attack), Stroke, Hypertension, Pulmonary hypertension, Venous thromboembolism, Ischemic heart disease.

  • Lower blood pressure: Air pollution leads to high blood pressure. Cleaner air maintains healthy blood pressure levels.

• Improved Cognitive Function:

  • Enhanced brain function: Exposure to air pollution reduces brain capacity, including memory, attention, and learning. Breathing clean air improves cognitive performance. Air pollution is linked to Cognitive decline, increased risk of memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety, developmental delays in children, impaired memory, reduced cognitive function.

• Reduced Risk of Cancer:

  • Some air pollutants, such as particulate matter and certain chemicals, have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and other types of cancer. Air pollution is Strongly Associated with Lung cancer, Head and neck cancers (including Oral cavity cancer, Laryngeal cancer, Pharyngeal cancer, Nasopharyngeal cancer), and Bladder cancer. Air pollution research is Showing Increasing Evidence of Association with Breast cancer & Esophageal cancer. Many ongoing studies are finding that air pollution may also cause Kidney cancer, Colorectal cancer, Liver cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Stomach cancer, Brain cancers (certain types), Prostate cancer, Leukemia (certain types), Lymphoma (certain types), Multiple myeloma, Skin cancer, Cervical cancer & Ovarian cancer. By living in an area with clean air, our risk of all these cancers is automatically reduced.

• Improved Overall Health:

  • Increased energy levels: Cleaner air lead to improved energy levels and reduced fatigue.

  • Better sleep quality: Cleaner air contribute to better sleep quality by reducing respiratory irritation and improving overall well-being.

  • Stronger immune system: Breathing clean air strengthens the immune system.

Air is "Pranasya pranah" (प्राणस्य प्राणः), meaning The Life of Life. The Oxygen is the life of our life energy! Plenty of clean air is provided by mother nature. I will be a damn fool to live with polluted air.

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