Air Pollution's Child Victims: A Preventable Tragedy

Air pollution is the second leading cause of death in children under five, after malnutrition. In 2021, air pollution was linked to a total of 700,000 deaths in children under five years old, according to the State of Global Air report. This means that almost 2,000 children under five die every day due to air pollution. The report also found that 90% of the world's children under the age of 15 breathe air that is so polluted it puts their health and development at serious risk. Air pollution causes respiratory infections, asthma, and cognitive developmental and lifelong health issues. Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because they inhale more air per kilogram of body weight and absorb more pollutants while their lungs, bodies, and brains are still developing.

Air pollution is the second-leading cause of death in children under five, after malnutrition

Air pollution is a significant and growing public health issue, with nearly every person on Earth breathing in unhealthy levels of air pollution daily. This issue disproportionately affects children, who are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Young children inhale more air per kilogram of body weight and absorb more pollutants relative to adults, as their lungs, bodies, and brains are still developing.

In 2021, air pollution was responsible for an estimated 700,000 deaths among children under five years old, making it the second-leading cause of death in this age group, after malnutrition. This accounts for 15% of all global deaths in children under five, with nearly 2,000 children under five dying every day from air pollution. The impact of air pollution on children's health is widespread, with respiratory infections, asthma, pneumonia, cognitive developmental issues, and lifelong health problems linked to poor air quality.

The sources of air pollution harmful to children's health include household air pollution, waste-related pollution, traffic-related pollution, landscape fires, secondhand smoke, and dust and sand storms. Household air pollution due to cooking with polluting fuels, such as wood or coal, is a significant contributor, especially in Africa and Asia. In 2021, an estimated 2.3 billion people worldwide still relied on these polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, generating harmful indoor air pollution.

The climate crisis is also exacerbating air pollution, with more frequent and severe droughts, wildfires, and dust storms filling the air with particles that persist for extended periods. Higher temperatures can further worsen the effects of airborne pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, which can turn into ozone at elevated temperatures, creating an irritant gas when inhaled.

The impact of air pollution on children's health is not limited to physical ailments but also extends to cognitive and developmental issues. Air pollution has been linked to metabolic disorders, increased susceptibility to infections, and nutritional imbalances. Pollutants can interfere with the metabolism of vital nutrients, leading to potential weight loss and growth impairment.

Addressing air pollution and its impact on children's health requires a multifaceted approach. Efforts to expand access to clean energy for cooking, improve healthcare and nutrition, and increase awareness about the dangers of air pollution have contributed to a 53% decrease in the death rate among children under five since 2000. However, more needs to be done to tackle air pollution and mitigate its harmful effects on the next generation.

Children are more exposed to air pollution than adults due to their higher breathing rate and closer proximity to the ground

Air pollution is a leading global risk factor for death, and it is the second-biggest killer of children under the age of five, after malnutrition. According to the State of Global Air report, nearly 2000 children under five die every day from air pollution, with a total of 700,000 children under five dying in 2021.

Children are more exposed to air pollution than adults due to a combination of factors, including their higher breathing rate and closer proximity to the ground. Firstly, children have a higher breathing rate than adults, with a normal respiratory rate of 12-20 breaths per minute for adults and a higher variable rate for children depending on their age. For example, a one-year-old child has a respiratory rate of about 30 breaths per minute, which decreases with age. This higher breathing rate means that children inhale more air per kilogram of body weight and, therefore, absorb more pollutants.

Secondly, children are often closer to the ground, where certain pollutants are emitted and become concentrated. For example, traffic exhausts emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, which can turn into ozone, an irritant gas, at higher temperatures. Children also tend to spend more time outdoors and are more physically active, increasing their exposure to outdoor air pollution. Furthermore, children spend a significant amount of time indoors, making them vulnerable to household air pollution, such as that from cooking with polluting fuels.

The impact of air pollution on children's health is severe and can start in the womb, affecting the development of the foetus and increasing the risk of preterm birth. Young children are especially vulnerable to air pollution as their brains, lungs, and other organs are still developing. Exposure to air pollution can cause respiratory infections, pneumonia, asthma, and other lifelong health issues, such as cognitive and developmental problems.

To reduce children's exposure to air pollution, it is essential to improve air quality in child-centric settings, such as schools and homes, and to implement measures that reduce overall air pollution, such as transitioning to cleaner modes of transport and energy sources.

Air pollution causes respiratory infections, asthma, developmental issues, and lifelong health problems in children

Air pollution is a leading risk factor for death globally, and it is the second leading risk factor for death among children under five. According to the 2024 State of Global Air report, air pollution was linked to a total of 709,000 deaths in children under five years old in 2021, representing 15% of all global deaths in children under five. This means that almost 2,000 children under five die every day due to health issues caused by air pollution. More than 70% of these deaths are linked to household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels, with the most significant impacts observed in Africa and South Asia.

Children are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution than adults due to several physiological and behavioural factors. They inhale more air per kilogram of body weight, resulting in higher relative absorption of pollutants, and their lungs, bodies, and brains are still developing. Their narrower airways and less efficient nasal filtering increase the dose of toxic substances in their airways and lungs, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections. Additionally, children have immature immune systems, making them more prone to pathogenic invasion.

Respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and acute lower respiratory infections, are commonly associated with air pollution. Pneumonia is responsible for 22% of deaths in children between one and five years old, and air pollution contributes to nearly half of all deaths from lower respiratory tract infections in children under five. Environmental tobacco smoke is a prevalent indoor air pollutant that increases the risk of respiratory infections and exacerbates asthma symptoms in children.

The impact of air pollution on children's health extends beyond respiratory issues. Air pollution can trigger asthma, the most common chronic respiratory disease in older children. Exposure to air pollutants is linked to poor asthma control, increased medication use, and higher healthcare utilization. It can also negatively affect lung function and development, neurodevelopment, and cognitive abilities. Children exposed to high levels of air pollution may face an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, later in life.

Prenatal exposure to air pollution can also have significant consequences. When pregnant women are exposed to polluted air, there is an increased risk of preterm births, low birth weight, and adverse respiratory outcomes in their infants. These children may face lifelong health challenges, developmental delays, and an increased susceptibility to infections and respiratory abnormalities.

Indoor air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels contributes to a significant number of child deaths

Air pollution is a significant global health risk factor, and it is the second-leading cause of death for children under five years old. This age group is particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution, which can cause severe health issues, including respiratory infections, asthma, developmental problems, and lifelong health complications.

Indoor air pollution, specifically from cooking with polluting fuels, is a major contributor to this issue. In 2020, an estimated 2.1 billion people worldwide relied on open fires or inefficient stoves fueled by kerosene, biomass, or coal for cooking, generating harmful household air pollution. This number slightly decreased in 2021, with approximately 2.3 billion people still using polluting fuels and technologies for cooking. The use of these solid fuels releases dangerous particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants, leading to indoor air pollution levels that far exceed safe guidelines.

The impact of indoor air pollution from cooking is exacerbated in poorly ventilated dwellings, where the levels of fine particles can be significantly higher than acceptable limits. Women and children are disproportionately affected by this type of pollution as they typically spend more time near the domestic hearth and are involved in household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood. In 2020, household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year globally, including over 237,000 deaths of children under five. While the overall death rate linked to children under five has decreased since 2000 due to improved access to clean energy and healthcare, indoor air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels still contributes to a significant number of child deaths.

According to the 2024 State of Global Air report, more than 70% of the deaths among children under five were linked to household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels. This is particularly prevalent in Africa and South Asia, where the use of polluting fuels and technologies is more common. The report also highlights the vast inequalities in the impact of air pollution, with low- and middle-income countries bearing a disproportionate burden.

Outdoor air pollution from traffic, wildfires, and industrial sources also poses a significant risk to children's health

Outdoor air pollution is a critical issue that poses significant risks to children's health. Major sources of outdoor air pollution include traffic, transportation, agriculture, wildfires, and industrial activities. The impact of these sources on children's health is profound and far-reaching.

Traffic and transportation are significant contributors to outdoor air pollution. Motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, emit harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5). These pollutants have detrimental effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health. Young children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of traffic-related air pollution as they breathe more air relative to their body weight and have developing lungs and immune systems.

Wildfires are another critical source of outdoor air pollution, releasing toxic particles and gases into the atmosphere. As wildfires ravage forests and landscapes, they generate smoke plumes that spread across vast distances, affecting communities far from the fire sites. The smoke contains harmful pollutants, including PM2.5, which can cause respiratory issues, aggravate heart conditions, and lead to premature death. Wildfire smoke also has economic repercussions, reducing labour force participation and earnings across various sectors.

Industrial sources, including power plants, refineries, and factories, contribute significantly to outdoor air pollution. These sources emit a range of pollutants, such as NOx, SO2, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter. Exposure to industrial air pollution can lead to respiratory problems, increased asthma symptoms, and even cancer. The impact of industrial pollution on children's health can be severe, as their developing organs are more susceptible to the harmful effects of these pollutants.

The impact of outdoor air pollution from these sources is not limited to physical health. Studies have linked air pollution to cognitive developmental issues and lifelong health challenges. The inequities in the impact of air pollution are also striking, with children in low-income countries bearing a disproportionate burden.

Addressing outdoor air pollution from traffic, wildfires, and industrial sources is crucial to protecting children's health and ensuring a sustainable future. Mitigation strategies, such as transitioning to cleaner energy sources, implementing stricter air quality policies, and promoting sustainable land management practices, are essential steps towards reducing the harmful impacts of outdoor air pollution on children's health and well-being.

Frequently asked questions