Easy Tips To Keep Your Child Safe From Air Pollution
As winter sets in, the air quality index (AQI) in northern India, particularly in cities like Delhi and Kanpur, takes a nosedive. It has become a grim routine for the national capital to record back-to-back days when the AQI plummets to 'Hazardous.' Recent years have seen a slew of studies confirming that persistent exposure to air pollution poses a severe threat to children. UNICEF considers air pollution as one of the "greatest threats to children's health." This menace has been directly linked to respiratory infections and other related diseases, responsible for almost 1 in 10 under-five deaths.
# Understanding the Impact of Air Pollution on Children
Young children are more vulnerable to the environmental elements than adults, and this vulnerability extends to the impact of air pollution. To comprehend the perils of air pollution, one must fathom the significance of minuscule air particles known as PM 2.5. To put it in perspective, PM 2.5 particles are smaller than one-thirteenth of the width of a human hair. These invisible particles can infiltrate our bloodstream after passing through the lungs, leading to a range of health issues, including lung cancer, strokes, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and numerous other diseases.
As children breathe at a faster rate than adults and inhale more air relative to their body weight, they are at a greater risk. Furthermore, heavier air pollution particles tend to settle closer to the ground, putting toddlers and shorter kids in harm's way as they inhale substantial amounts of PM 2.5 with each breath.
# Protecting Kids from Air Pollution Outdoors
To safeguard your children from the perils of outdoor air pollution, it is imperative to monitor the AQI of the day. According to AirNow, an air quality database, if the AQI surpasses 101, it is unsuitable for "sensitive groups." Crossing the threshold of 151 should signal a red flag, prompting parents to cancel outdoor activities, whether they be sports tournaments or picnics.
Parents should also ensure that their children avoid pollution-heavy zones, such as areas near busy roads or construction sites. Travelling during off-peak hours when traffic is minimal can reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
# Protecting Kids from Air Pollution Indoors
Air pollution isn't limited to outdoor environments; it can infiltrate indoor spaces as well. Parents should avoid smoking near children, and it's vital to ensure that the kitchen area is well-ventilated, equipped with exhaust fans and chimneys, to prevent children from inhaling fumes generated during cooking. If possible, switching to cleaner cooking methods, such as electric cookers, is a wise choice. Additionally, air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air filters can significantly improve indoor air quality.
# Advocating for Environment-Friendly Policies
To address the issue of air pollution at a statewide level, citizens should advocate for environmentally friendly policies that often go unnoticed. By pushing for and supporting policies that mitigate air pollution, we can collectively work towards a healthier and safer environment for our children.