Air pollution has significantly deteriorated the quality of life in North Indian states, including Delhi NCR, with rising Air Quality Index (AQI) levels being a major concern. However, how does this impact residents of high-rise buildings? Health experts provide valuable insights.
According to health coach Dr. Mickey Mehta, oxygen levels decrease slightly at higher altitudes, even within urban high-rises. The stagnation of polluted air at elevated levels, combined with reduced proximity to the earth’s magnetic field, may accelerate aging and destabilize bodily functions. This may also affect blood pressure, heart function, and respiratory health.
Dr. Sanggita Checker of Wockhardt Hospitals agrees, adding that indoor air quality often deteriorates in high-rise apartments. This can trigger conditions like rhinitis, asthma, or other chronic respiratory illnesses.
However, pulmonologist Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha of Fortis Hospital, Faridabad, clarified that while air pressure decreases with altitude, the change within typical residential buildings is usually negligible. For instance, every 100 meters of elevation reduces air pressure by about 12 hPa, or 1.2% of sea-level pressure. This minor difference is unlikely to affect healthy individuals but may cause mild discomfort in those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Contrary to the above, a Swiss study involving 1.5 million participants found that ground-floor residents were 40% more likely to die from lung disease, 35% more prone to heart disease-related deaths, and 22% more susceptible to lung cancer compared to those living on the eighth floor or higher because pollutants such as PM2.5 particles, vehicular emissions, and construction dust are most concentrated near ground levels.
Pollen and mold spores, common allergens, are also less prevalent at elevated heights. These factors collectively make high-rise living potentially healthier, provided indoor air quality is well-maintained.
In conclusion, high-rises may present minor challenges for vulnerable groups but reduce exposure to pollution, allergens, and noise. This shows the need to improve indoor air quality and study high-rise living’s health effects in India locally.
Reference- National Library of Medicine, Indian Express Article, National Geographic