The Impact of Air Pollution on Your Kid's Health

Air pollution has been at an all-time high over the past few decades. Every day brings into light new research or studies highlighting the damage our modern lifestyle is causing to the ecosystem. Metro cities are covered in heavy smog and toxic gases, leading to deteriorated air quality and health hazards. This polluted air has a significant impact on your child’s health.

This article will help you learn everything about air pollution for kids, potential risks, and causes. We will also highlight the various ways you can reduce air pollution. Plus, there is a checklist before sending your little one outdoors. So, let’s start:

Why kids are more at risk?

Air pollution happens when our atmosphere gets mixed with greenhouse gases, chemicals, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and biological materials like pollen, mold spores, viruses and bacteria, and animal dander. It is harmful to both adults and children. However, for kids, its impact is more intense due to the following reasons:

1. Weak immunity

Growing kids have weaker immunity than adults because their body systems are in the development phase. This makes them more susceptible to germs and harmful toxins in the polluted air. 

2. Breathing

Children breathe faster because they have smaller lungs and narrower air passages than adults. Thus, requiring them to breathe rapidly to maintain their oxygen level. Usually, a toddler takes 24-40 breaths per minute, whereas an adult takes 12-20 breaths per minute. Moreover, kids often breathe through their mouths, allowing pollutants to reach their lungs easily. 

3. Height

The short height of kids also makes them vulnerable to air pollution. Since they are small, they inhale the air near the ground where the concentration of pollutants is relatively high. 

4. Active Lifestyle

 Children are active explorers who love playing in the outdoors. Thus increasing their chance of exposure to air pollution from vehicles, dust, etc. 

Air Pollution and Effects on Children’s Health 

Air pollution affects kids' health in various ways. The given below section discusses the multiple health problems it causes for children:

1. Lung and breathing issues

Respiratory problems are one of the most common effects of air pollution. Constant exposure to polluted air can lead to diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia.  Moreover, inhaling fine particulate matter is a major contributor to growing lung cancer cases.  

2. Slower brain development

Research shows that air pollution for kids can hamper brain or cognitive development. Toxic elements like lead are released in the air as suspended particles, causing serious problems for most body organs, especially the nervous system. It affects cognitive function and leads to behavioural disorders like ADHD in children. 

3. Weakened immune system

Air pollution brings children into contact with harmful elements that attack their body systems. Increased exposure to such toxins makes them easy victims of illnesses and infections. In the long run, frequent sickness weakens their developing immunity systems.   

4. Impact on newborn health

The impact of air pollution is even felt on unborn or newborn babies. Experts suggest that kids are most vulnerable to air pollution threats during the first three years of their birth. Kids who come in contact with pollutants in this phase get hindrances in physical and brain development.

Moreover, women who have been in contact with air pollutants for a long time while pregnant face various birthing problems. This includes premature birth, improper growth of the baby inside the womb, weight problems, and others.

What are the main causes of air pollution?

Various human and natural activities contribute to the rising air pollution. In the section given below, you will learn about them in detail:

1. Traffic emissions

The emissions released by vehicles contain harmful gases like nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. These gases contribute to air pollution, acid rain, and serious health problems. 

2. Industrial activities

Industrial units are major contributors to pollutants like greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter. Primary activities that contaminate the air are manufacturing, energy production, etc. 

3. Deforestation

Deforestation is one of the leading causes of air pollution. As you know, trees release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. When we cut trees, the level of carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, further declining the air quality. This is because CO2 is a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. 

4. Waste burning

You must have seen people burning garbage in open spaces. It can include plastic, wood, rubber, electronics, paper, and fabric. Waste burning emits toxic gases and chemicals, causing severe air pollution. 

5. Burning fossil fuels

Fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil are burned in power plants and vehicles to release energy. The process also emits carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, and other toxic gases that harm the air quality.

6. Construction activities

Construction work pollutes the air in various ways. These activities create high amounts of dust-containing particulate matter, posing health risks. Construction activities include heavy machinery, burning fossil fuels and waste material, and using hazardous chemicals, each contributing to air pollution. 

7. Agricultural practices

It might sound strange, but modern agricultural practices are one of the leading causes of air pollution. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. Besides, livestock such as cows and sheep produce methane during digestion. Methane contributes to the greenhouse effect. Lastly, the manure releases nitrous oxide and methane that further pollute the air. 

8. Mold n dust

Mold spores and dust cause various respiratory problems. They worsen the air quality in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Now that you know the primary reasons for air pollution, it is time to discover solutions you can adopt to fight them.

Natural Ways to Reduce Air Pollution and its Effects

Air pollution is a global problem. But, as individuals, we can take small steps to improve air quality and protect the environment. Here’s a list of natural practices that help reduce air pollution and its effects on kids:

1. Planting Trees

Need the best solution to protect your little one from air pollution and its effects? Great, start planting trees. Our green friends provide food and enrich us with fresh oxygen while absorbing CO2. They play a significant role in improving air quality and reducing air pollution. Thus creating a cleaner and healthier environment for your children’s future. 

2. Indoor Plants for Cleaner Air

Another effective way to give your kids clean air is to add indoor plants to your living space. Some popular indoor plants for improving air quality are peace lilies, aloe vera, snake plants, spider plants, bamboo palm, english ivy, etc. These plants enhance the look of the surroundings, absorb harmful pollutants, and release fresh oxygen.

3. Promote Organic and Sustainable Practices

Promoting organic and sustainable practices has become the need of the hour. These activities keep the environment at the center, ensuring a healthy present and a healthier future.

You can start by choosing organic and Ayurvedic baby care products with rich herbs and natural ingredients. Moreover, encourage your kids to eat healthy and avoid food wastage. Include food and drinks rich in vitamins C, D, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, probiotics, etc., to boost their immunity from airborne problems.

Teach them about recycling and reusing things that ensure a cleaner ecosystem. Further, you can choose public transportation or carpooling when going out with your family to save fuel and prevent pollution. 

4. Walks in Clean Environments

Embrace the natural beauty of your surroundings by spending time in outdoor spaces adorned with lush trees and plants. You can take your child on a pleasant evening stroll to a nearby park or bio reserve during weekends. 

Spending time in lush greenery lets them breathe oxygen-rich, clean air with less pollutants. These walks can also be a great way to build an emotional connection with your little one and teach them about nature's importance. 

5. Ventilate your home

Right ventilation is also essential to make room for clean air indoors. It helps remove smoke, dust, and cooking fumes from the house. You can open windows early in the morning to allow sunlight to enter your home.

Plus, you can use air purifiers to keep the air clean and fresh. Diffusers with essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender can also help purify the air naturally. They eliminate foul odour and create a refreshing atmosphere in the house. These products are excellent alternatives for chemical-based air fresheners that contaminate the air. 

6. Promote green energy

Green energy is produced from renewable sources with negligible environmental effects. The various forms of green energy are solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. The use of green energy is a sustainable substitute for fossil fuels. They do not cause air pollution and ecosystem damage at large. 

Air Pollution Checklist

Here are some handy tips you can adopt when your child is going outdoors to keep them safe from air pollution:

• Check the AQI of your area before letting your kid out. 
• Make them wear high-quality face masks. You can choose N95 masks. 
• Let them carry a Natural hand wash to keep their hands clean. 
• Give them sunglasses to protect their eyes from UV radiation and pollutants. 
• Encourage your child to drink plenty of water to expel toxins from the body. 

Conclusion

Giving their child a healthy environment to grow and thrive is a dream all parents cherish in their hearts. However, with aggravating air pollution, this dream seems challenging. The only way to deal with it is by understanding the main contributors of air pollution and taking conscious steps to reduce their impact on your children. After reading this article, you must be well aware of them.

Your tiny efforts can help create a healthier environment for the next generations. So, keep doing your bit and gift your little ones a clean and green planet to spend their future.

FAQs

Q1. What is AQI?

A1. Air Quality Index or AQI is a numerical scale with color codes that show how clean or polluted the air is in a particular area. It highlights air quality levels, ranging from good to hazardous. The index helps understand the potential health risks associated with the air composition. 

Q2. How does air pollution affect climate change?

A2.  Air pollution causes climate change through greenhouse gases, which trap heat and contribute to global warming.