Rising air pollution in Delhi–NCR has led doctors to recommend lung screening tests even for patients with no history of smoking, asthma, or lung disease. Hospitals across Ghaziabad and Noida are witnessing a steady increase in young and otherwise healthy individuals reporting breathlessness, chest tightness, and persistent cough.
A 19-year-old first-year college student from Delhi is a case in point. After shifting to the city earlier this year, he experienced sudden breathlessness and chest tightness that lasted through the night. When he visited Yashoda Medicity, Ghaziabad, doctors advised a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) as a preventive measure.
Dr. Ankit Bhatia, Senior Consultant in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Yashoda Medicity, explained that daily commuting in public buses and metro trains exposes students and professionals to high levels of roadside traffic pollution. “Pollution can trigger airway obstruction even in people who have never had respiratory complaints,” he said. According to Dr. Bhatia, the pulmonology department now conducts five to six PFTs daily, reflecting the rising impact of toxic air.
Another patient, Rakesh Kumar Gupta (60), a contractor, underwent the test after experiencing breathlessness while standing for an hour at a construction site. Outdoor exposure, doctors say, significantly worsens lung irritation.
Dr. Bhatia explained that a Pulmonary Function Test is conducted inside a cabin-like enclosure called a body box, where controlled air pressure helps measure lung capacity and airflow. The test takes 10–15 minutes and costs around ₹2,499.
Similar trends are reported at Felix Hospital, Noida, where Dr. Priyadarshi J Kumar, specialist in Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, said fine particulate matter and aerosols in polluted air cause inflammation of airways. Over time, these particles are carcinogenic and increase the risk of lung cancer.
At Yatharth Hospital, Noida, Dr. Vipul Mishra, Director of Critical Care and Pulmonology, reported a 40% rise in lung-related cases compared to summer. He now recommends PFTs even for non-smokers without pre-existing lung disease, highlighting the growing health cost of air pollution.