World Lung Cancer Day 2026: When we think about lung cancer, we usually think about smoking. Many people, especially women and people who do not smoke, get lung cancer even though they have never used tobacco. Now experts are looking at the air inside our homes to see if it is causing problems. They think that the air inside our homes might be making us sick.
Is burning cow dung harmful?
In India, many people have started using fuels to cook, which is a good thing. There are still many homes, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, that use things like firewood, crop residue, coal or dung cakes to cook. When we burn these things, they release particles and chemicals into the air that can go deep into our lungs.
“The World Health Organisation says that bad air in our homes causes around 2.9 million deaths every year. It can also cause lung cancer, breathing problems, heart disease and strokes. 11% of lung cancer deaths are because of bad air in our homes from solid fuels and kerosene,” Dr Ravi Wategaonkar, Medical Oncologist, M|O|C Cancer Care Pune, tells Health Shots.
Is burning mosquito coil harmful to humans?
Even people who live in cities are not completely safe. If our homes do not have ventilation, we can still breathe in bad air. “This can happen if someone smokes inside or if we use many mosquito coils, incense sticks or scented candles”, says the oncologist. If we cook at high temperatures, it can also make the air bad. If the air outside is already bad, it can come into our homes and make things worse.
Which lifestyle habit is strongly linked to lung cancer?
A healthy home is not about being clean; it is also about having clean air. We are seeing more people with lung cancer who have never smoked. “Being around pollutants for a long time can hurt our lungs without us even realising it”, says Dr Wategaonkar. If we have ventilation, do not smoke inside, use cleaner fuels, and reduce unnecessary smoke, we can lower our risk of getting lung cancer.
How to reduce AQI at home?
There are things we can do to make a difference. “We can keep our kitchens ventilated, use chimneys or exhaust fans, not smoke inside, and not use too many mosquito coils or incense sticks in closed spaces”, shares the doctor. We should also make sure our homes have airflow. Taking care of our lungs starts at home.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)
