Air Pollutants: Children's Health At Greater Risk

Air pollution is a serious threat to the health of children and adolescents, who are more vulnerable to its adverse effects than adults. Children are exposed to air pollution in the womb and throughout their early lives, and this exposure has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory infections, asthma, low birth weight, reduced lung function, and even childhood cancer. As children's bodies and organs are still developing, they are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution, and they are also unable to protect themselves from it. With over 90% of the world's children under 15 years of age breathing polluted air daily, it is a pressing issue that demands attention and action.

Children's higher breathing rates

Children's respiratory systems differ from those of adults in several ways, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution. Firstly, children have higher breathing rates than adults. This means that they inhale a greater volume of air per minute, increasing their exposure to pollutants. The rate of breathing in children is influenced by their age, with younger children breathing faster than older ones. For instance, a child under the age of one typically takes more than 60 breaths per minute, while a child between the ages of one and five will take more than 40 breaths per minute. This rate decreases with age, and by the time a child reaches the age of two, their respiration rate reduces to around 26 breaths per minute. In comparison, the normal respiratory rate for healthy adults is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.

Children's faster breathing rate is not only a result of their smaller lung capacity but also reflects their higher metabolic rate and increased physical activity levels. They are more likely to engage in vigorous activities, and spend more time outdoors, which can increase their exposure to ambient air pollution. Moreover, due to their shorter height, children tend to breathe air closer to the ground, where the concentration of certain pollutants, particularly from traffic exhausts, can be higher. This proximity to ground-level emissions further elevates their acquired dose of harmful substances.

The higher breathing rate in children also has implications for the deposition of pollutants in their respiratory tract. Inhaling a larger volume of air through the mouth, as children often do, allows pollution to penetrate deeper into the lower respiratory tract, which is more permeable. This increased oral breathing, combined with their developing lungs and immature immune system, places them at a higher risk of respiratory infections and other adverse health outcomes.

Additionally, children's respiratory systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to the damaging effects of air pollution. Their lungs, along with other organs and bodily systems, are in a formative stage, and exposure to pollutants during this critical period can have long-lasting consequences. The impact of air pollution on children's health includes respiratory issues such as asthma, reduced lung function, and respiratory infections. It also extends to cognitive development, with potential effects on neurodevelopment and cognitive ability.

Height and proximity to the ground

Children's breathing rates are also higher than those of adults, and they inhale a larger volume of air per kilogram of body weight. This means they absorb more pollutants, which can have severe health consequences. Their developing lungs, immune, and metabolic systems are more susceptible to damage from air pollution, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, and other respiratory issues.

Furthermore, children's unique behaviours, such as crawling and playing on the ground, increase their exposure to toxicants in dirt and dust. They also tend to put their hands, toys, and other objects in their mouths, ingesting harmful substances. Their natural biological defences are less developed, including the protective barrier surrounding the brain and the nasal passages' ability to filter out pollutants.

The combination of their height, proximity to the ground, higher breathing rates, and unique behaviours means children are at a heightened risk of inhaling harmful pollutants and suffering adverse health effects. Their developing bodies and proximity to concentrated pollutants near the ground make them especially vulnerable.

Behavioural patterns

Secondly, children have a higher breathing rate than adults and inhale more air per unit of body weight. They also tend to be mouth breathers, which means pollution penetrates deeper into their lower respiratory tract, causing greater harm. This increased oral breathing is linked to the fact that children have narrower airways and less efficient nasal filtering than adults, making them more susceptible to the toxic effects of air pollution.

Thirdly, children's immune systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to the adverse health effects of air pollution. They are at a higher risk of developing respiratory infections, asthma, and other respiratory issues. Exposure to air pollution during critical developmental stages can also negatively impact their lung function and growth, increasing the likelihood of lifelong health issues.

Lastly, socio-economic factors influence the behavioural patterns related to air pollution exposure. In poorer communities, children may be more exposed to household air pollution due to indoor cooking with polluting fuels, and their families may have limited access to cleaner technologies or healthier outdoor environments.

Overall, behavioural patterns, such as outdoor play, physical activity, and indoor activities, significantly contribute to children's exposure to air pollution and the subsequent health risks they face.

Developing lungs, immune and metabolic systems

Children and adolescents are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their bodies, organs, and immune systems are still developing. Their lungs, in particular, are susceptible to damage from air pollution, as they are not yet fully formed.

Children breathe faster than adults, and because of their height, they often breathe in air closer to the ground where some pollutants, especially from traffic exhausts, become concentrated. This means that children inhale a larger volume of polluted air, and this air penetrates deep into their lower respiratory tract, which is more permeable. The increased oral breathing further exacerbates the impact of air pollution on their developing lungs.

The effects of air pollution on developing lungs can be severe and include asthma, reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and allergies. These issues can persist into adulthood, increasing the risk of adult chronic diseases. In addition, air pollution has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including premature birth, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth retardation, which can have lifelong health implications.

The immune system is also affected by air pollution. Studies have shown that air pollution may alter both cellular and humoral immunity in children, and it can also cause vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to rickets. The impact of air pollution on the immune system may also be linked to the development of asthma and other respiratory issues.

In summary, children's developing lungs, immune, and metabolic systems are all at risk from air pollution. The impact of air pollution on these systems can have both short-term and long-term health consequences, making it crucial to protect children from exposure to air pollutants as much as possible.

Poorer children are more exposed

Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults. Their bodies, organs, and immune systems are still developing, and they breathe, inhale, and exhale more air per kilogram of body weight. They are also more likely to be physically active outdoors, which increases their exposure to ambient air pollution.

Children are exposed to air pollution in various settings, such as schools and kindergartens, during indoor and outdoor activities, and while commuting to school. They are also exposed to air pollution closer to the ground, where the concentrations of some pollutants are higher.

Poorer children are systematically more exposed to and affected by air pollution than their better-off counterparts. This is due to several factors, including their living environment and access to healthcare and resources.

Firstly, poorer children are more likely to live in areas with higher levels of air pollution, such as near industrial areas, power plants, or congested traffic. These areas often have higher emissions of harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, ozone, and particulate matter. Poorer families may also rely on polluting fuels for cooking and heating, such as solid fuels and kerosene, which can generate harmful household air pollution. In 2021, an estimated 2.3 billion people globally relied on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, with the overwhelming majority residing in low- and middle-income countries. As a result, poorer children are exposed to higher levels of indoor air pollution, increasing their health risks.

Secondly, poorer children may have limited access to quality healthcare and resources that can help mitigate the impacts of air pollution. They may not have access to regular medical check-ups or early screening services to detect air pollution-related illnesses. Additionally, they may lack access to cleaner fuels and technologies that could reduce their exposure to household air pollution.

Finally, poorer children may also face social and economic disadvantages that impact their overall health and well-being. They may have limited access to nutritious food, safe drinking water, and adequate sanitation, which can further compromise their health and make them more susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

The systematic exposure of poorer children to air pollution underscores the urgency of implementing effective policies and interventions to protect their health. This includes improving air quality in child-centric settings, such as schools and residential areas, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare and resources for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

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