Declining Air Quality Poses Health Risks Beyond Respiratory Issues, Surge In Joint Pain and Arthritis Cases

Air pollution posing health risks far beyond respiratory health. Experts are now warning surge in joint pain and arthritis cases due to contaminated air.

Days ahead of Diwali, Delhi’s air quality drops to the ‘poor category’ causing healthcare providers to be alarmed on posing health risks far beyond respiratory health due to air pollution. With much evidence for the rising cause of joint pain and arthritis, experts are now warning that air pollution can damage public health more than ever.

Surge In Arthritis

At a recent 40th annual conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association – IRACON 2025, leading rheumatologists cited that toxic air and PM2.5 pollution may fuel a surge in rheumatoid arthritis, a condition people often experience chronic joint pain, swelling, stiffness and sometimes disability.

Air Pollution Linked To Arthritis

Calling the rising scenario a public health emergency, Dr Uma Kumar, Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS Delhi, told the media, “When pollution levels are high, the patients who do well otherwise, their condition also worsen We are observing a rise in RA cases in patients living in polluted areas with no family history or genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease.”

Dr Pulin Gupta, Professor and Rheumatologist at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital added, “What we are witnessing is not just a increase in cases of RA but these cases are also more severe Reduced green spaces in urban areas are worsening the problem, depriving residents of protective environmental buffers.”

The rheumatologist further explained, “Studies show strong associations between exposure to PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, and ozone with increased risk of RA cases, especially in genetically susceptible individuals. Living near busy roads, which means constant traffic-related pollution, has also been linked to higher RA risk.”

He continued, “A landmark study published in the European Medical Journal (2025) provided strong genetic evidence connecting air pollution to autoimmune diseases, including RA. Using a two-sample Mendelian randomisation approach, the study identified significant causal links between common pollutants and immune system dysfunction, highlighting environmental damage as a crucial driver in the rise of these diseases.”

Delhi Pollution Status

As of now, to curb the situation before it worsens, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday enforced Stage 1 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) also forecast similar air pollution levels in the upcoming days, especially for the next 3 to 4 months.

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