Special Lecture and Hindi Workshop on “Air Pollution: A Major Challenge to Health” held at CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow
Lucknow: A special lecture on “Air Pollution: A Major Challenge to Health” was organized at the CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) Auditorium, Lucknow. The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Surya Kant, Professor & Head, Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow; and National Core Committee Member, Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action. Dr. Surya Kant highlighted that haemoglobin and oxygen are vital for human life, but inhaling polluted air allows contaminated oxygen to travel through the bloodstream to multiple organs, causing a wide range of health problems.
He explained that air pollution increases the risk of diseases such as pneumonia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Emphasizing the dangers of passive smoking, he stated:
“Only 30% of cigarette smoke is inhaled by the smoker; the remaining 70% pollutes the environment and harms those nearby.”
Dr. Surya Kant further explained that air pollution is highly harmful to children, contributing to stunting, obesity, and malnutrition. Pregnant women and newborns are particularly vulnerable, with exposure leading to Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) and increased risk of congenital conditions and infections in neonates.
He identified the major sources of air pollution as vehicular emissions, open waste burning, industrial smoke, dust from construction, and domestic use of wood or coal for cooking.
During the session, Dr. Surya Kant discussed practical individual and institutional measures to reduce pollution, including: Encouraging staff living nearby to walk or cycle to work.
Reducing paper usage and adding reminders like “Please do not print this email – save paper” in email signatures.
Vehicle pooling (car sharing) to save fuel.
Avoiding firecrackers during Diwali, New Year, or any other celebrations.
Practicing electricity conservation.
Dr. Surya Kant also appreciated CDRI’s initiative of using campus-grown flowers for eco-friendly “Green Bouquets”, minimizing plastic use and promoting sustainability.
At the Hindi workshop held alongside the lecture, Dr. Surya Kant emphasized the importance of the Hindi language, stating that teaching children in their mother tongue enhances understanding, expression, and cultural identity. He encouraged scientists to write on socially relevant topics in Hindi and donated his book, “Kharrate Hain Khatarnak”, published by the Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan, to the institute’s library.
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Rashmi Rathour thanked Dr. Surya Kant for his insightful lecture and said his suggestions inspire all attendees to take meaningful steps toward reducing air pollution and pursuing sustainable research initiatives. The event was attended by Mr. Bihari Kumar, Dr. Kanchan, Dr. Akash Sharma, Mr. Naveen Pandey (State Coordinator – Uttar Pradesh, Lung Care Foundation), along with scientists, technical staff, and non-technical staff of CDRI. The program concluded with a collective pledge by all participants to reduce air pollution and plant trees on special occasions, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to environmental protection and public health.
