Air Pollution, Vitamin B12 Deficiency Major Culprits Behind Rising Anaemia In India: Experts

New Delhi: While anaemia is long known to be caused by iron deficiency, experts on Thursday noted that air pollution and vitamin B12 deficiency have emerged as major culprits behind its increasing prevalence in the country.

Anaemia occurs when there isn’t enough haemoglobin in the body to carry oxygen to the organs and tissues. The condition, which mainly affects women and children, leads to the lower count of red blood cells or the haemoglobin. In severe cases, anaemia can cause poor cognitive and motor development in children.

“Emerging research has suggested that anaemia in India is not solely due to iron deficiency. Two additional factors warrant attention: air pollution and vitamin B12 deficiency,” Dr K Madan Gopal, a public health expert working at the National Health Systems Resource Center, a premier think tank of the Health Ministry, New Delhi, told IANS.

A recent study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), published in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that iron deficiency contributes only marginally to its prevalence, with the other two factors playing a much larger role in the widespread occurrence of anaemia in the country.

Gopal explained that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can lead to systemic inflammation. This inflammation interferes with the production and survival of red blood cells, exacerbating anaemia.

“Efforts to improve air quality at the community level -- such as local monitoring of pollution sources and public education on pollution mitigation -- can positively impact overall health and, by extension, reduce inflammation-induced anaemia,” the expert said.