More Than Meets the Eye

As modern societies grapple with smog-filled skies, polluted rivers, and mounting waste, the true cost of environmental degradation remains hidden—in our lungs, blood, and minds. In this special episode of the InnoHEALTH Magazine Podcast, Dr. Tanu Jindal, environmental scientist and Group Additional Pro Vice Chancellor (R&D) at Amity University, highlighted how our health is inextricably linked to the environment.

“Our environment is our health.”

Air Pollution: Beyond PM2.5

While PM2.5 and PM10 dominate air quality discussions, Dr. Jindal emphasized a broader threat—gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone. These compounds, often released from open drains and industrial activity, combine with particulate matter to wreak havoc on human health.

She described how fine particles act as carriers for toxins, entering our bloodstream and causing respiratory, cardiovascular, and even neurological damage.

“If they damage machines, imagine what they do to our lungs.”

Water Quality: The Crisis Beneath Our Feet

Dr. Jindal warned that while attention is on river pollution, groundwater contamination—especially in urban areas like Delhi—is a graver threat. Toxic waste from open drains leaches into the water table, carrying ammonia, chlorine, and fecal matter.

“The real danger is not just pollution of Yamuna, but the infiltration of contamination into groundwater.”

Air and Cognitive Health: A Silent Threat

Recent research by her team found a link between air pollution and diminished cognitive performance, especially in asthma patients. Pollutants impair sensory input, affect heart function, and ultimately reduce brain efficiency—most significantly among children and the elderly.

Waste Management: The Broken System

India generates over 62 million tons of waste yearly, yet only a fraction is processed effectively. Dr. Jindal advocates for decentralized, community-driven solutions like segregation at source and home composting.

“When scrap dealers come to your home every month, why not give them your plastics and bottles?”

She also pointed out the inefficiency of sewage treatment plants, suggesting that households consider mini-STPs, similar to using inverters for power cuts.

Environmental Policing: Turning Awareness into Action

Dr. Jindal proposed establishing Environmental Policing Units to enforce eco-regulations, drawing parallels with traffic policing. Simple penalties for littering or dumping puja waste could foster a culture of accountability while creating jobs.

“Let’s train people and create accountability with awareness.”

Low-Cost Innovations for Everyday Sustainability

To bridge the gap between awareness and action, her team has developed:

• A ₹100 water testing kit
  
• A sustainable air purifier that blends with home décor
  
• Algae-based biofuel suitable for cold regions
  

“Why send your water sample to a lab for ₹12,000, when you can test it at home for ₹100?”

Festivals, Firecrackers, and Finding Balance

Dr. Jindal urged a balanced view during festival seasons. She advocated for regulated, community-based firecracker displays and centralized celebrations to reduce pollution without eroding cultural traditions.

Climate Change: Everyday Actions That Matter

With global warming intensifying, she suggests practical steps:

• Keep five indoor oxygen-releasing plants
  
• Reforest riverbanks
  
• Use seed bombing to regenerate forests in arid areas
  

“Let’s give lungs to our homes.”

Agricultural Reform: Moving Beyond Pesticides

India’s liberal pesticide use causes widespread contamination. Dr. Jindal recommends shifting to controlled-release formulations, biopesticides, and stronger support for organic farming through farmer training programs.

“When we spray pesticides, only 1% hits the target. 99% pollutes our air, water, and food.”

Sustained Campaigns, Not Short Bursts

Many government initiatives lose momentum without consistent enforcement. Dr. Jindal emphasizes institutionalizing green practices in communities, schools, and workplaces—with reward systems to maintain momentum.

“Awareness without enforcement is like cleaning a drain while still pouring sewage into it.”

Final Thoughts: A Shared Responsibility

Environmental harm is a slow form of societal damage. Dr. Jindal urges every citizen to take small, consistent actions—waste segregation, tree planting, reduced plastic use, and supporting eco-innovations.

“Slow poisoning a society is also murder.”

Let This Be the Beginning

Our environment is not separate from us—it is us. Every breath, every drop of water, and every bite of food is shaped by how we treat our surroundings. The time to act is now.

“A stitch in time saves nine.”

Authors Biography

Prof. (Dr.) Tanu Jindal, Pro Vice Chancellor (R&D) at Amity University, is an environmental scientist with 25 years’ experience in pollution research, sustainability, and academic leadership across multiple institutes.

The post The Invisible Ties Between Environment and Health: A Call for Sustainable Action appeared first on InnoHEALTH magazine.

The air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors, is increasingly under threat from a multitude of pollutants. From bustling cities to quiet rural areas, the impact of air pollution on human health and the environment is a growing concern. In a recent podcast, Nisarg Mehta, a doctoral student at the Silesian University of Technology in Poland, shed light on the complexities of air pollution, its sources, and strategies for mitigation.  

The Culprits: Unveiling the Sources of Air Pollution

Air pollution is a complex issue with a diverse array of sources. In urban areas, industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust are major contributors, spewing noxious gases like sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels for energy production and transportation adds to the burden, releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) into the air we breathe. In rural areas, agricultural practices, such as open field burning of crop residues, and household use of biomass fuels like wood and cow dung, contribute to air pollution, releasing particulate matter and harmful gases.  

The Silent Killer: PM2.5 and its Devastating Impact

Among the various air pollutants, particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) stands out as a particularly insidious threat. These microscopic particles, 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair, can penetrate deep into the respiratory and circulatory systems, wreaking havoc on our health. PM2.5 exposure has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even blood disorders. The ability of PM2.5 to act as a carrier for other harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses, further exacerbates its danger.  

The Hidden Threat: Indoor Air Pollution

While outdoor air pollution is often the focus of attention, indoor air quality can be equally concerning. VOCs released from paints, furniture, and flooring materials, along with carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from cooking and heating, can accumulate in poorly ventilated spaces, posing risks to our health. The rise of synthetic materials in our homes and workplaces has introduced another emerging threat: microplastics and nanoplastics. These tiny particles, shed from carpets, furniture, and other synthetic items, can become airborne and inhaled, with potential long-term health consequences.  

Turning the Tide: Strategies for Combating Air Pollution

Addressing the complex issue of air pollution requires a multi-pronged approach. At the individual level, we can make conscious choices to reduce our contribution to air pollution. Opting for public transportation, carpooling, or cycling instead of driving alone can significantly reduce vehicle emissions. Embracing energy-efficient appliances, switching to LED lighting, and reducing energy consumption at home can lessen the burden on power plants and decrease air pollution. Proper waste management, including recycling and composting, can minimize the environmental impact of waste disposal and reduce harmful emissions.  

At the policy level, governments and industries have a crucial role to play. Promoting the use of clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease air pollution. Implementing stricter emission standards for vehicles and industries can limit the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Investing in urban planning that prioritizes green spaces and promotes walkability and cycling can create healthier and more sustainable cities.  

Bridging the Gap: Addressing Disparities in Air Pollution Exposure

The impact of air pollution is not felt equally across society. Low-income communities and vulnerable populations often bear a disproportionate burden of air pollution exposure. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions and policies that prioritize the health and well-being of these communities. Improving housing conditions in low-income areas, ensuring access to affordable healthcare, and implementing occupational health and safety standards for workers in polluting industries are crucial steps towards achieving air equity.  

A Call to Action: Protecting Our Air, Protecting Our Future

Air pollution is a complex and pervasive problem, but it is not insurmountable. By understanding the sources of air pollution, its impact on our health, and the strategies for mitigation, we can collectively work towards cleaner air and a healthier future. From individual actions to policy changes, every step we take towards reducing air pollution is a step towards a better world for ourselves and generations to come.

Authors Biography

Ankit Monga is a skilled pharmaceutical professional with expertise in regulatory affairs, portfolio strategy, and business management. He has a strong research background and leadership experience, and has received multiple awards for his achievements.

The post The Invisible Threat: Understanding and Combating Air Pollution appeared first on InnoHEALTH magazine.

This is the age of Disruption, Sebastian Thrun, computer scientist says, and hits bull’s eye.

On 7th April 2018, a gush of fresh air of innovative ideas buffeted gently a modest wood-paneled auditorium in central Delhi as two enterprising innovators unveiled their ongoing disruptive technologies – based projects to depollute air and save thousands of litres of water as well as million units of electricity.d save thousands of litres of water as well as million units of electricity.
As audience clung to these innovators’ narratives in rapt attention, another eminent speaker Denny John dwelt at length on an absorbing theme of how to assess a healthcare technology for the larger interest of society. “Mine is a disruptive technology”, a lanky but hefty new age entrepreneur stole the limelight at the meet as he, in his baritone voice, said as an industry always have the tremendous appetite for future technologies and thereby revolutionize deliverable. He was Monish Bhandari of OptiMaser™ which works for disinfection of hospital wastes including many other things.
An engineer, who appeared firmly grounded and did not betray any sign of tremendous potential his “Shudh Vayu” and “Swasthgram” campaign holds for the society by cleaning tons of carbon in air by a simple filter on roofs of cars threw light on his disruptive innovation for combating menace of spiking pollution plaguing many cities.
The engineer Amit Bhatnagar said 920,000 children die under 5 years due to air pollution worldwide. In Delhi, it is 3000 in 365 days, almost 8 deaths per day, according to UNICEF report. Air Pollution inhaled during pregnancy can cross the placenta and affect the developing brain of a fetus.
Swasthgram and Shudh Vayu were founded by Mr. Amit Bhatnagar and his common friends. Mr. Amit Bhatnagar is an IITian turned into the social entrepreneur. He did his M.S. in Bio-Engineering from Penn State (US) in 2007 and B.Tech in Mechanical, Hollywood (USA). After relocating to India, he started envisioning his life’s goal and along with common friends established Swasthgram in 2012. He uses disruptive technology, innovated & specially designed to cater to all healthcare needs.
Also Read: Cyber-Biosecurity: Are we ready?

The Saturday morning’s meet was a gathering of young innovators and industry experts in a conference hall in the national capital’s prestigious India International Centre to learn how to assess a healthcare technology for a beneficial outcome for the society.
Marking a step forward towards its promise of providing an encouraging platform to young innovators and innovative startup of the health sector, InnovatioCuris organized its fourth IC Innovators Club meeting that day. A date well was chosen, celebrating World Health Day, InnovatioCuris called on industry leaders to stand up to the pledges and join hands to take concrete steps to advance #HealthcareForAll.
We live in a culture where everyone’s opinion, views, and assessment of situations are twisted on social media if feared and hated by environmentalists (industry name say) and the public alike. Yet many a time, the scientific assessment of technology is remarkably different and tells altogether a different story. And we all know we become what we behold, we shape our tools and then our tools shape us. So, the assessment of any new tool or technology is very important. With this agenda, Denny John addressed the listeners which within no time compelled them to shed away their morning blues. Mr. John holds an external Ph.D. in HTA from Maastricht University, the Netherlands on the cost-effectiveness of vaccines related to infectious diseases in India. He is also an adjunct Scientist with ICMR-NIMS.
Being an Associate Editor for IJTAHC and Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation journals, he has also conducted various workshops on SR, EE and HTA training for over 300 members in Nepal, Ghana, and India. Under his literature, he has 10 peer-review publications on SR, EE and HTA, 2 book-chapters on Pharmacoeconomics, and 1 book on Systematic Reviews. Co-guiding 1 Masters and 2 Ph.D. students in HTA. He is a task force member on National Registry of Injuries in India. He is also a co-researcher on cost-effectiveness analysis of glaucoma screening in cataract camps.
The interventions used to promote health, to prevent, diagnose or treat acute or chronic diseases, or for rehabilitation which includes pharmaceuticals, devices, procedures and organizational systems used in healthcare, defines healthcare technology says, Mr. John. After he made listeners to understand what healthcare technology is, he guided them to understand what exactly HTA (Healthcare Technology Assessment) is.

A systematic evaluation of the properties of a health technology, addressing its direct and intended effects, as well as its indirect and unintended consequences, to inform decision-making is HTA. He explains, not only the assessment of the technology but also the evaluation and calculation of any input that goes into the delivery of the technology will be covered under HTA.
Narrating the story about BEMPU, a hypothermia monitoring device, he made a strong point that one should practice evidence-based approach, that stating evidence is very important not only while assessment of a technology but also in day-to-day healthy lifestyle habits. This gives context-specific inputs into the decision-making process at policy and organizational levels.
Evidence-based practice, Health economic evaluation, Policy and market analysis are the formation bricks of the architecture of HTA where Social aspects is also another brick in the wall catering its stakeholders, patients, health professionals, industry, third-party players and the government with trust and a good decision-making capability. A feedback from any stakeholder is always a good approach to perform analysis of your technology says, Mr. John. Especially when it comes to the customers, patients as (here) the case is, patient engagement is a huge buzz topic and knowing your customer is a great idea to improve. Taking feedback whether they are willing and are comfortable in using the technology and how they feel about the integration of it in their life could give you the taste of your own drug.
So, what is evidence-based practice? An evidence-based approach is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of an individual. Mr. John emphasizing on the usage and reporting of the evidence says, “wherein day-to-day life reporting of evidence is weak, the evidence should be taken based on the studies from multiple trials and research studies and not from a single study or trial”.
After stressing on the importance for stating the evidence he also explained the impact and need of economic evaluation analysis which addresses the additional health benefit gained from investment in a technology, such as the cost per additional Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained, by comparison of that technology to a different intervention or to no intervention.
Another important component of this valuable session was Budget Impact Analysis (BIA). Mr. John told that BIA addresses the affordability of the technology, such as the net annual financial cost of adopting the technology for a finite number of years.
Also Read: Early Detection of Dengue

All this directly or indirectly contributes to the assessment of healthcare technology that one plans to adopt and present. In addition to this, he also explained briefly the ways a person can perform the economic evaluation of the technology under observation like cost-effective analysis, cost-benefit analysis or be it cost-utility analysis.
Mr. John also walked listeners through the schematic structure of Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn). Also, telling about how patients and consumers can be engaged in HTA, what all parameters are there on which they can evaluate the technology and how it would be beneficial for the same.
Mr. Monish Bhandari said post signing of the CITAR incubation MoU on 2nd May 2017, the entire aura of the association has fast-tracked with translating the lab research to commercial success, augmenting the brand value, potential & technical excellence of OptiMaserTM & it’s futuristic new Avatars.
OptiMaser™ potential in excess is exemplified by the fact that it can achieve systematic volumetric heating for disinfection with its mobility in any diverse industry environment. CITAR’s clinical ability to instantly establish protocols, validate clinical results has given OptiMaserTM the required thrust to develop dedicated cycles for medical waste disinfection; OT instrument disinfection; blood bag disinfection; dialyzer disinfection; linen disinfection; Bactec (BD) bottle disinfection and animal bedding (rice husk & corn cob) disinfection. He said that the technology being pursued by them, saves hundreds of liters of water and electricity consumption while disinfecting hospital wastes – many prestigious institutions are adopting the mode. The IC meeting came to an end after a very provocative question and answer session.

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