Air pollution is a growing health hazard. As per the fifth edition of the State of Global Air (SoGA) report, air pollution is becoming the second biggest global risk factor for death. It became the reason for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, according to the report released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) in partnership with Unicef. According to a latest report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), 1.8 crore people living in India's national capital territory of Delhi, are susceptible to reduced life expectancy due to air pollution. While pollution affects everyone, children under the age of five are more vulnerable to its side effects, including premature birth, low birth weight, lung diseases, and asthma. To mitigate such risks, you must know how to protect children from air pollution.

How to protect children from air pollution?

Children, in their developing age, are more vulnerable to air pollution, and the damage can start in the womb itself, and last a lifetime. Children tend to inhale more air per kilogram of body weight in comparison to older adults as the child’s lungs, bodies, and brains are still in the development phase.

Air pollution damages health in childhood and increases the risk of pulmonary disorders in later life, hence it is extremely important to minimize exposure and hence minimize the risks, says Consultant Physician Dr Roohi Pirzada.

Make sure that your child is wearing a mask when stepping outside during high pollution levels. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

However, that being said, you as a parent can stick to certain measures to curb the bad effects of air pollution on your child’s health. Here are some of the tips you can follow:

1. Keep your surroundings clean

Regularly deep clean and vacuum clean the house to clean mold, pet dander and dust. A growing child spends a lot of time indoors. It is not just the bad air quality outside that can affect your child, but the poor air quality inside due to dust or molds that can harm your child’s respiratory tract. So, make sure you keep track of regular deep cleaning to save your child’s health.

2. Invest in an air purifier

If you live in a metro city, try to install an air purifier at home. Living in highly polluted and jam-packed metro cities witnesses higher pollution levels than the countryside areas or smaller towns or cities. An air purifier sucks in the indoor air and makes it pass through a filter. The filter absorbs the pollutants and pushes clean air back into the room. You may use air purifiers especially at night. Also, use car purifiers and manage air quality in vehicles, adds the expert.

2. Allow room for ventilation

Make sure your house is well-ventilated. Keep windows open daily for fresh air circulation, suggests the expert. If the pollution levels are high in your city, make sure that your house has a proper ventilation system along with exhaust fans to let the polluted air come in and go out of your house seamlessly.

3. Keep a check on AQI

As an adult, you might notice the bad effects of air pollution getting to you late since we tend to have a stronger immune system in comparison to our growing five-year-old kids. So, to avoid that effect reaching your child, make sure that you keep tabs on the Air Quality Index regularly to notice changes in air quality to take respective measures immediately.

Your child cough be suffering the ill-effects of air pollution. Here is how you can mitigate that,

5. Make sure the child wears a mask outdoors

Make your child wear masks outdoors on days when AQI is poor, suggests the expert. Wearing a mask outdoors when the air pollution levels are high can spare your child from inhaling too much toxic air.

6. Try to make your child stay indoors

Protect children from too much exposure to pollution and the sun. Also, encourage them to wear hats and use a sunscreen with SPF 15 if the heat and pollution levels are too high, reckons the expert. Air pollution along with high temperatures can worsen the impact on children. So, make sure that during those weeks or months, your child stays indoors the most.

7. Try to introduce your child to the wonders of nature

Children between 0 to 5 years are at higher risk of developing pulmonary issues. Hence, take them to parks with plants and trees for a play session where there are fewer pollutants. Being in pure nature can help heal the damaged respiratory tract with fresh oxygen. Promote the act of planting trees and plants. It may help to have a terrace or a balcony garden for fresher air, adds the expert.

8. Inculcate breathing exercises

Teach your children good respiratory hygiene and breathing exercises for better pulmonary resilience. Breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom Pranayama, Bhastriga, or Kapalbhati help detoxify your lungs and keep them healthy.

With these easy-to-follow tips, you can at least ensure your child breathes better air and prevents acute respiratory problems.

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