City Lungs Under Siege: Pigeon Droppings and Interstitial Lung Disease

Feeding pigeons may feel harmless — but for many urban Indians, it’s literally taking their breath away

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🌆 Urban Compassion, Hidden Consequences

Across Indian cities, feeding pigeons has long symbolized kindness and peace. Flocks gather at traffic circles, temple courtyards, and apartment terraces — often fed by residents who see it as an act of care.

But beneath that cultural compassion lies a serious health hazard.
Pigeon droppings, feathers, and nesting dust release microscopic organic particles that can scar the lungs and cause a life-altering condition called Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) — a form of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD).