Air pollution is affecting health of our children.

With Delhi’s smog levels rising to an all-time high this winter, all of us have become more aware of air pollution and the danger it poses to our health, especially our children’s health. Here is everything you must know about pollution and how to reduce its effect.

As expected, air pollutants have many impacts to children’s health and development. Here are some of the most important effects of air pollution:

• We saw earlier how children are more exposed to toxins in the air. And due to this, there is a high chance their lungs can get injured. This, in turn, reduces the children’s lung capacity, not only during childhood, but also well into adulthood. There is also higher chances of lung infection
• Chronic conditions like asthma and cystic fibrosis worsen when affected children are exposed to air pollutants
• Exposure to air pollution can also result in lowered lung function, slower growth and development of lungs and reversible lung function deficits
• Air pollution not just impacts the respiratory system, it can also impact the nervous system. Exposure to heavy metals in the air, such as lead, can impact the cognitive development of children
• In general, air pollution affects the overall health of children because many problem-causing factors, such as air pollutants, food, and viruses, are all interlinked and interact with each other, worsening the negative impacts they bring to the body

What Can We Do to Reduce The Effect Of Air Pollution On Children’s Health?

It is very clear that children are more impacted by air pollution than the adults. How do we help reduce the effect of air pollution on children’s health? Here are few tips to be done:

• Ensure your child gets enough exercise. Usually, the combination of air pollution and physical inactivity can be very dangerous. If your child exercises regularly, his lungs capacity will increase and he will generally have a stronger cardiovascular system
• Ensure proper nutrition. Research has seen that changes in daily diet have huge impact on the risk of disease development
• Ensure your child takes proper medication when he is down with any form of lung infection. Lung problems can aggravate quickly, so never keep your child away from the hospital for a long time if affected
• Use air conditioning when you feel that air quality is low outside

— Roopa Hoonjan —

 Image Source : dailymail.co.uk