According to Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha, Director and Head of Pulmonology at Fortis Escorts Hospital in Faridabad, air pollution can hurt children’s health, ranging from immediate respiratory concerns to long-term developmental and cognitive impairments. Dr. Jha discusses how air pollution can affect the health of your child (3):
According to Dr. Jagdish Kathwate, Consultant Neonatologist and paediatrician at Motherhood Hospital in Pune, it is critical to teach children about the detrimental effects of air pollution and how they may help to prevent it. Encouraging children to participate in activities such as tree planting or organizing neighborhood clean-up campaigns to promote a feeling of environmental responsibility can also be beneficial (4).
“By staying informed about the daily Air Quality Index (AQI), you and your children can plan activities accordingly and avoid spending prolonged periods outdoors when pollution levels are particularly high. This simple step will not only reduce exposure to harmful particles but also protect respiratory health in the long run. Teaching them simple practices like turning off lights when not in use or using public transportation whenever possible can go a long way in reducing air pollution,” says Dr. Kathwate.
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“Parents should prioritize creating a healthy indoor environment for their children. Many studies have shown that indoor air quality can be just as damaging as outdoor pollution. To improve indoor air quality, parents should avoid smoking inside the house and use natural cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals. Investing in air purifiers with HEPA filters can effectively remove allergens and pollutants from the air, creating a haven for children. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels is key to combating air pollution. Parents can set an example by choosing energy-efficient appliances for their homes and encouraging alternative modes of transportation like walking or cycling for shorter distances. Explaining to kids how switching to renewable sources of energy like solar power helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions can instill values of environmental stewardship from a young age. By involving children in discussions and decisions related to sustainability, empower them with knowledge on how they too can actively contribute towards tackling air pollution. The use of crackers during festivals and weddings leads to air pollution. So, children should try to stay away from firecrackers,” adds Dr Kathwate.
Protecting Children From Air Pollution
Dr. Jha suggests the following strategies to protect your children from the detrimental impacts of air pollution (5):
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Monitor air quality:
Use credible sources to stay updated about local air quality, and minimize outside activities on days with high pollution levels.
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Interior air quality:
Improve interior air quality by using air purifiers, appropriate ventilation, and reducing indoor pollution sources such as tobacco smoke and kitchen emissions.
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Avoid high-traffic areas:
Limit children’s exposure to traffic-related pollution by walking or cycling away from major roadways.
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Encourage outdoor activities:
Spending time in green, open settings where pollution levels are lower.
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Reduce car emissions:
Use public transportation, carpool, or use environmentally friendly vehicles to reduce emissions from automobiles.
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Policy advocate:
Support policies and activities aimed at reducing air pollution, such as tougher emissions requirements and better energy sources.
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Prevent indoor toxins:
Inspect houses and schools for indoor pollutants such as radon gas and lead-based paint, and take steps to address any issues that arise.
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Educate and promote awareness:
Inform parents, caregivers, and educators about the dangers of air pollution and the significance of taking precautions.
“Safeguarding children from air pollution involves a combination of individual actions, community efforts, and governmental policies aimed at creating cleaner and healthier environments for our youngest generation,” adds Dr. Jha.
References:
- Stubble burning activities in north-western India in 2021: Contribution to air pollution in Delhi
Govardhan G, Ambulkar R, Kulkarni S, Vishnoi A, Yadav P, Choudhury BA, Khare M, Ghude SD. Stubble-burning activities in north-western India in 2021: Contribution to air pollution in Delhi. Heliyon. 2023 Jun 2;9(6):e16939. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16939. PMID: 37332916; PMCID: PMC10275965. - Effects of air pollution on human health – Mechanistic evidence suggested by in vitro and in vivo modelling
Chen H, Oliver BG, Pant A, Olivera A, Poronnik P, Pollock CA, Saad S. Effects of air pollution on human health – Mechanistic evidence suggested by in vitro and in vivo modelling. Environ Res. 2022 Sep;212(Pt C):113378. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113378. Epub 2022 May 4. PMID: 35525290. - Air pollution and children’s health
Schwartz J. Air pollution and children’s health. Pediatrics. 2004 Apr;113(4 Suppl):1037-43. PMID: 15060197. - Healthy Air, Healthy Brains: Advancing Air Pollution Policy to Protect Children’s Health
Payne-Sturges DC, Marty MA, Perera F, Miller MD, Swanson M, Ellickson K, Cory-Slechta DA, Ritz B, Balmes J, Anderko L, Talbott EO, Gould R, Hertz-Picciotto I. Healthy Air, Healthy Brains: Advancing Air Pollution Policy to Protect Children’s Health. Am J Public Health. 2019 Apr;109(4):550-554. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2018.304902. Epub 2019 Feb 21. PMID: 30789769; PMCID: PMC6417586. - How to protect school children from the neurodevelopmental harms of air pollution by interventions in the school environment in the urban context
Rivas I, Querol X, Wright J, Sunyer J. How to protect school children from the neurodevelopmental harms of air pollution by interventions in the school environment in the urban context. Environ Int. 2018 Dec;121(Pt 1):199-206. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.063. Epub 2018 Sep 11. PMID: 30216772.
Source: Medindia
