Air is one of the many things we all share. As it moves around the globe, a wide range of contaminants, allergens and more can spread, negatively affecting millions. Of those affected, children can be especially at risk of breathing problems and complications. The effects of air pollution are serious and we need to do our best to ensure that the air that we are breathing is clean. The health effects of air pollution are serious one-third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease are due to air pollution. Microscopic pollutants in the air can slip past our body’s defences, penetrating deep into our respiratory and circulatory system, damaging our lungs, heart and brain.
Sources of air pollution
In towns and cities, the main sources of air pollution are listed below:
- Motor vehicle emissions are one of the causes of poor air quality. Other causes include wood-burning fires, fires on agricultural land, exhaust from diesel generators, dust from construction sites, burning garbage and illegal industrial activities in Delhi.
- Heavy metal-rich fire-crackers.
- Agricultural stubble burning also affects air quality when crops are being harvested.
- Tobacco or cannabis smoke
Why is air pollution especially harmful to infants, toddlers and children?
Children are more vulnerable to breathing in polluted air than adults. Their airways are smaller and still developing. They breathe more rapidly than adults. If a child is exposed to high levels of air pollution over a long period of time, they might be in the risk of the following:
- Their lungs not working as well as they grow older
- Developing asthma
- Wheezing
- Coughs
- Lung cancer when they are older
- Infections like pneumonia
7 tips to protect your children from air pollution
- Stay indoor: The most obvious solution to avoid air pollution is to stay away from it, especially during peak smog times.
- Use air masks: Air masks can help against air pollution, up to a certain extent. They are usually made of comfortable fabrics and are ergonomically designed to rest over the nose and lower face. They help to keep out dust, pollutants, bacteria and some viruses.
- Don’t burn garbage: Burning things like plastic can make the air quality much worse, so find a more eco-friendly and sustainable form of getting rid of waste.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Good fluid intake is recommended for everyone. It helps as a form of detoxing the body, and flushing out the toxins that can aggravate symptoms.
- Eat the right food: During times of intense air pollution, it makes sense to ensure that our immune systems are well nourished. Take fruits and vegetables that have high content of Vitamin C and Omega fatty acids to fight the impact of air pollution from within.
- Use air purifiers: Air purifiers are ideal for asthma or allergies. They help to purify air by removing allergens and tiny particles, helping everyone to breathe and sleep better.
- Keep purifying plants indoor: A natural way to keep your home air clean is by having indoor plants that purify air. Plants like areca palm, aloe vera, azalea and tulsi all help to keep your home feeling fresh.
While these precautions can significantly help reduce our children’s exposure, these are only short term measures. We have to pledge to be a part of the solution. So I request each one of you to take a pledge to be part of the solution as change begins with us.