PM 2.5 is just one of the several pollutants that are present in our air. These various pollutants are generated from different sources like wind patterns, industrial activity, waste burning, household and ground level combustion, and several other factors.

Together, these pollutants make the air toxic by changing its molecular structure and creating molecules called Free Radicals (FR).

A free radical is any molecular species that has an unpaired electron and is thus highly unstable and reactive.

By either contributing or accepting an electron, they can behave as oxidants or reductants, respectively.

Free radicals are also produced by a variety of normal biological processes, in plants and animals, including aerobic metabolism and pathogenic defense mechanisms.

A certain type of FRs that contain Oxygen are called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). A few of the most common reactive oxygen species include hydroxyl radical (OH), superoxide anion (O2-), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

ROS, are oxidants. They area group of unstable, oxygen-containing molecules that are chemically reactive due to thunpaired electrons, andarea natural part of biological metabolism. They areabyproduct of normal cellular metaimportant roles in cellular signaling and other biological processes.e presence of bolism and play

ROS, are oxidants. They area group of unstable, oxygen-containing molecules that are chemically reactive due to thunpaired electrons, andarea natural part of biological metabolism. They areabyproduct of normal cellular metaimportant roles in cellular signaling and other biological processes.e presence of bolism and play

Wen present in excess, ROS can damage cells by oxidizing essential biomolecules like proteins, lipids, and nuclei Cellular senescence or even Cell Death. acids, and may cause

This may lead to various cellular dysfunction, including DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and protein damage, ultimately contributing to cell death and to various diseases including aging and cancer.

Cells with high metabolic rates produce greater amounts of ROS. So anything that increases cell metabolic rates, like exercising or fighting a disease or Oxidative Stress, would cause generation of excessive ROS.

Air Pollution is complex. And its wreaking havoc in India. Between 2013 and 2021, 60% of the planets toxic air has come from India. As such, we must accept the severity of the problem and that there are no one or two causal factors and no silver bullet to alleviate the problem of toxic air in this region.

There are various types, causes and reasons for prevalence of Toxic Air in India.