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Children are not only the future of a family but also the bandwagon of the entire population. Keeping children healthy isn’t just the responsibility of the parents but the entire community. India is a country that ranks number 3 on the list of countries with the worst air quality. Even the World Health Organization believes that air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health, alongside climate change. The increasing air pollution in metropolitan cities has increased health hazards across the country. It has even more adverse impacts on children. Air pollution was the 4th leading risk factor for early death worldwide in the year 2019. Let’s see the impact of the increasing air pollution in the metropolitan cities on our future generations.
Air pollution is connected with fatal diseases
In today’s time, air pollution has a lot of short-term impacts on children like nasal allergies, breathing issues, cough, cold, irritation in the eyes, skin diseases, etc. but the long-term impact that air pollution has been even more alarming. Children today are suffering from asthma and other chronic breathing disorder. Moreover, maternal exposure to air pollutants is proven to have an adverse impact on birth outcomes and children’s respiratory systems, immune status, brain development, and cardiometabolic health. Parents today is searching “best doctor for asthma near me” due to the increasing need for proper medical care for children.
Air pollution can considerably affect children’s health
Apart from, cough, cold, flu, and asthma, air pollution is also associated with respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma, among others. There is also emerging evidence that it can disrupt physical and cognitive development by aggravating underlying health issues and preventing children from going to school. Among those suffering from health complications related to air pollution, some can last for the rest of their lives if left untreated.
Air pollution is worsening in many parts of the world
Owing to the constant industrialization and urbanization process the use of energy, coal, and fuel tends to be increasing at a higher pace. This is only leading us to even worse health conditions for our children. This situation is not only concerning India as a country but many parts of the world. Most countries are still developing. This constant upgrading of towns and cities is taking a toll on air pollution that is further deteriorating the condition of children’s health.
Air pollution can seriously affect the health of the foetus
It is recommended that pregnant women avoid air pollution just as they should avoid smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke. Researchers have shown that chronic exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 – particulate matter with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 microns, roughly one-third the width of an average human hair) is associated with higher rates of early foetal loss, preterm delivery, and lower birth weights.
How we can curb it all
Among the elderly, cognitive performance appears to be reduced, making them the most vulnerable. Several studies indicate that poor air quality is associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes, including asthma, other respiratory symptoms, and a decline in lung function and growth in children. The situation has made the need for a lungs specialist in Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, and other parts of the country increase manifolds. It is imperative that a multipronged strategy be implemented at various levels of the healthcare infrastructure and measures taken to reduce outdoor and indoor air pollution to reduce the risks to children. We need that strict policy measures should be implemented, especially to check industrial and vehicular pollution. Further, the use of technology and innovative solutions could also be vital in tackling the problem of air pollution to a great extent.
