Breathing in Nagpur Nearly Equivalent to Smoking Two Cigarettes a Day, Research Shows
Nagpur: Breathing in Nagpur could be as harmful as smoking two cigarettes a day, warn health experts, citing fresh data on rising air pollution levels in the city. A recent city-based study conducted between January and April 2025 paints a grim picture of urban health, with unchecked construction and vehicular emissions driving the crisis.
"According to recent data, Nagpur's Air Quality Index (AQI) has consistently remained in the 'poor' category, with PM10 levels at 128 µg/m³ and PM2.5 at 46 µg/m³. This makes breathing in Nagpur nearly equivalent to smoking two cigarettes a day," said senior pulmonologist Dr Ashok Arbat, who monitored the trend following a sharp spike in respiratory complaints.
"In recent months, we have seen a 20% increase in respiratory cases. Worryingly, this surge occurred during summer, a season that usually brings relief to asthma and chronic lung disease patients," he noted, speaking on the eve of World Asthma Day, observed on May 6.
Dr Arbat attributed the increase to environmental hazards caused by the ongoing construction of cement roads, flyovers, and other infrastructure projects. "The fine dust and particulate matter released during these works, combined with demolition debris and increasing vehicular emissions, are silently choking the city," he said.
Pulmonologist Dr Parimal Deshpande also blamed vehicle emissions for the rise in respiratory ailments. "Fossil fuel-run vehicles release harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide into the air, worsening the situation," he explained.
He further warned that vulnerable groups—children, the elderly, and those with existing respiratory issues like asthma and COPD—are experiencing more severe and persistent symptoms than usual. "Even individuals with no prior history of respiratory illness are now reporting breathing difficulties," Dr Deshpande added.
Although the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued notices to some contractors for violating dust and emission norms, enforcement remains inconsistent.
On World Asthma Day, doctors have appealed to both authorities and citizens to take immediate action. "We need stricter dust control measures, expansion of green zones, and a shift toward sustainable urban planning. At the individual level, small changes like carpooling, using public transport, and wearing masks in high-dust areas can make a difference," said pulmonologist Dr Swapnil Bakamwar.
Why Breathing in Nagpur ≈ Smoking 2 Cigarettes a Day?
PM2.5 Levels in Nagpur
Recent average reading: 46 µg/m³
WHO Safe Limit: 5 µg/m³ (annual average)
Nagpur's exposure: 9x higher than safe levels
The 'Cigarette Equivalence' Explained
According to studies by the University of California and the Berkeley Earth Project:
Every increase of 22 µg/m³ of PM2.5 = 1 cigarette/day inhaled passively
Nagpur's PM2.5 level (46 µg/m³) ≈ 2 cigarettes/day equivalent
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