Long exposure to fine particles can cause lung fibrosis, says Dr. Ali Moeeni, pulmonary disease specialist.
Pulmonary fibrosis occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for lungs to work properly. Pulmonary fibrosis can cause shortness of breath and the damage to the lung can’t be repaired. Since five to six liters of air enter the lungs per minute, therefore when there are fine particles in the air, it leads to their inevitable inhalation. The best strategy to prevent exposure to the particles is to stay at home when air pollution reaches hazardous levels or by wearing pollution masks, Alef News Agency quoted Moeeni as saying. Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter are called “fine” particles. But fine particles are dangerous as even those particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) are so small that they can get into the lungs. Ten micrometers is smaller than the width of a single human hair.
