Air Purifier

What Impact Does Air Pollution Have on Our Immune System?

PUBLISHED ON: 12-Jun-2025

 

 

As the city wakes up to honking traffic and a hazy skyline, many people head out for their daily routine, unaware of an invisible threat. Despite eating well, getting enough sleep, and trying to stay active, some fall sick more often, struggling with fatigue, lingering coughs, or frequent colds that don’t go away easily. What people don’t always realise is that it could be the very air around them that’s weakening their immune system.
 

In cities across India, where air pollution levels frequently cross safe limits, the long-term effects of breathing polluted air can quietly erode the body’s natural defences. This article explores how air pollution impacts immunity and what steps can be taken to protect your health.
 

  1. How Air Pollution Weakens Your Body’s First Line of Defence
     

    Research across cities has revealed alarming connections between air quality and immune function.1 People living in areas with higher pollution levels show measurably different immune responses than those in cleaner environments.2
     

    The respiratory system bears the initial brunt of this problem. Pollutants damage the delicate tissues lining your airways, disrupting the crucial barrier that normally prevents harmful substances from entering your body. When this first line of defence is compromised, pathogens find it easier to establish infections.
     

    Moreover, air pollution appears to alter the very composition of immune cells. Studies have shown that exposure to polluted air can reduce the production of antibodies—the proteins responsible for identifying and neutralising threats.3
     

    Children are particularly vulnerable to these effects. Their developing immune systems are still learning to distinguish between genuine threats and harmless substances. Exposure to air pollution during these critical years can lead to increased rates of asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections that may persist into adulthood.
     

  2. How Polluted Air Triggers Internal Immune Burnout
     

    Breathing polluted air does more than just irritate your nose and throat—it can quietly harm your body from the inside. When you inhale dirty air filled with tiny particles, harmful gases, and chemicals, they reach deep into your lungs and trigger reactions in your immune system.
     

    One of the types of air pollutants is called PM2.5—tiny particles small enough to enter our lungs and even mix into our blood.4 Once inside, these particles don’t just sit quietly—they interfere with how our immune cells work and cause a condition known as systemic inflammation.5
     

    This immune fatigue increases vulnerability to infections, seasonal allergies, and potentially more serious immune-related diseases.6 Over time, the body's ability to bounce back becomes compromised.
     

  3. How Air Pollution Affects Your Whole Body
     

    Air pollution doesn’t just affect your lungs—it impacts your entire body. Once harmful gases and particles enter the bloodstream, they can damage major organs and systems through widespread inflammation.
     

    Prolonged exposure has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and even cognitive decline, including memory loss and reduced concentration. Even more concerning, constant exposure may reduce the effectiveness of immune memory—the mechanism by which your body recognises and fights infections it has encountered before, including through vaccines.
     

    In short, polluted air doesn’t just make you cough—it chips away at your overall health, often without you even realising it.
     

  4. Creating Your Defence Strategy
     

    While you cannot eliminate your exposure to air pollution, you can take meaningful steps to protect your immune system.
     

    • Getting an appropriate air purifier
    • Using N95 masks when stepping out
    • Ventilating the home when outdoor air is clean
    • Keeping indoor plants like the areca palm or snake plant
     

    The most effective way to protect yourself is by improving the air quality indoors, where you spend the majority of your time. Choosing the best air purifier for your home can significantly reduce indoor pollution and create a safer, healthier environment.
     

    An air purifier is particularly valuable in urban environments, where fine particles constantly infiltrate our living spaces. Modern air cleaner technology has evolved to address multiple pollutants simultaneously, offering comprehensive protection for your family.
     

    When selecting an air filter for home use, consider units that can handle both particulate matter and gaseous pollutants.
     

 

Here are two air cleaners that match your needs and will keep your home filled with fresh, clean air:
 

1. Forbes Smart 355 Surround 360° Air Purifier
 

This is a powerful yet compact solution for maintaining clean indoor air, especially in medium-sized rooms up to 480 sq. ft. 
 

Key Features:
 

  • Surround 360° Air Intake Technology for comprehensive air circulation.
  • True HEPA Grade 13 Filter: Captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles, including dust, allergens, and   microscopic pollutants.

 

  • 4-Stage Filtration System:
  • Pre-Filter
  • Activated Carbon Filter
  • True HEPA Filter
  • Plasma Filtration

 

  • Smartphone App Control for remote operation and real-time air quality monitoring.
  • Quick Purification: Cleans air in as little as 10 minutes.
     

2. Forbes Smart 500 Surround 360° Air Purifier
 

This air purifier takes performance a step further, designed for larger spaces and families seeking comprehensive air cleaning. 
 

Key Features:
 

  • 4-Stage Filtration:

 

  • True H13 HEPA Filter
  • Plasma Filtration
  • Pre-Filter
  • Activated Carbon Filter

 

  • Efficient Removal of:

 

  • Dust
  • Harmful gases
  • VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • Odours

 

  • AI-Powered Smart Control with mobile app for real-time monitoring.
  • VOC Colour Indicators: Visual alerts on indoor air quality.
  • Ideal For: Modern homes needing intelligent, high-performance air purification over larger areas.
     

Conclusion
 

Understanding the connection between air pollution and immune function empowers you to make informed decisions about protecting your health. While technological advances will ultimately address broader environmental challenges, you need not wait for these solutions to safeguard your family. If a room purifier helps protect your family’s health, it’s a worthwhile investment.
 

By creating cleaner indoor environments and supporting your immune system through proper nutrition and lifestyle choices, you can maintain robust health even in polluted urban environments. The investment in the right air filter for the home today is an investment in long-term wellness.
 

References-
 

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9738575/
     
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2327046/#:~:text=Even%20within%20these%20studies%2C%20within,may%20be%20even%20more%20so.
     
  3. https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/6/913
     
  4. https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics
     
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11372469/
     
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/
     

 

 

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