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New Delhi: Each winter, the familiar grey haze brings more than a stubborn cough or itchy eyes. Poor air quality today carries toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel—released from traffic, industrial activity, construction dust, and open burning. These particles are so fine that they travel deep into the lungs and then enter the bloodstream, reaching vital organs. Long-term exposure can affect neurological, renal, developmental, and hematological functions, making this a whole-body concern rather than just a respiratory issue
In an interaction with TV9 English, Dr Akash Shah, Vice President-Technical at Neuberg Diagnostics, explained how toxic metal levels are rising in the air we breathe, and the worsening AQI is to blame for this severe crisis.
Because heavy metals accumulate in the body, early signs of exposure often appear subtle and can be easily dismissed: persistent fatigue, headaches, irritability, tingling sensations, breathlessness, and a lingering sense of mental fog. These symptoms often worsen on high-AQI days and may indicate an underlying toxic burden rather than simple winter tiredness. Children and older adults face higher vulnerability—children absorb pollutants more quickly, while older individuals may experience sharper impacts due to pre-existing health conditions.
In this environment, timely action becomes essential. Heavy metal testing provides a practical method for detecting even ultra-trace levels of these elements through advanced, highly sensitive blood or urine analysis platforms, which can provide precise measurements across a wide range of metals. Testing is especially useful for those experiencing recurring or unexplained symptoms during pollution spikes.
If your winter cough lingers, fatigue becomes constant, or your child falls ill frequently during periods of poor AQI, a heavy metal test can offer clarity and guide early intervention. With pollution becoming increasingly complex, proactive screening is no longer optional—it is a key step toward safeguarding long-term health.
