Kids, Fight Air Pollution: Simple Steps To Breathe Easy

Air pollution is one of the greatest threats to children's health, and 99% of people worldwide live in areas with unhealthy air. It can cause serious health issues and environmental damage, and children are especially vulnerable due to their developing lungs and brains and weaker immune systems. Young children also breathe faster, taking in more air relative to their body weight, and they are closer to the ground where certain pollutants reach peak concentrations. It is therefore important to take steps to prevent air pollution and mitigate its impact on children. This can be done through individual actions, such as reducing energy consumption, recycling, and using non-toxic cleaning products, as well as collective efforts to advocate for policies that promote clean energy and reduce emissions.

How to prevent air pollution for kids

The dangers of air pollution: respiratory infections, asthma, lung cancer and more

Air pollution is one of the greatest threats to children's health. It is directly linked to respiratory infections and other diseases that account for 15% of all under-five deaths. Outdoor and indoor air pollution are harmful to children's health and jeopardize their future.

Children are more susceptible to harm from air pollution than adults. Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster, taking in more polluted air relative to their body weight. Young children also tend to breathe through their mouths, which increases the number of pollutants entering their bodies. Children are more likely to spend time outdoors, running around and being active, which means they are inhaling more air than adults.

The effects of air pollution on children can be immediate and long-term and can even be irreversible. Air pollution is linked to respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and COPD. It can also cause lung infections and increase the risk of lung cancer. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and early childhood has been linked to reduced lung growth and an increased potential for the development of asthma.

Children with asthma may experience more symptoms and need to use their reliever inhalers more often when pollution levels are high. High levels of nitrogen dioxide, found near busy roads and industrial sites, can irritate the airways and make them more inflamed, increasing the risk of asthma attacks. Sulphur dioxide, produced by burning fuels like coal and oil, can cause coughing, tightness of the chest, and difficulty breathing. It can also lead to smog, which further worsens air quality.

To protect children from the dangers of air pollution, it is important to reduce their exposure to pollutants and improve the air quality in their environment. This can be done by encouraging active commuting, such as biking or walking to school, or using public transportation. Recycling and repurposing items can also help reduce pollution levels. Additionally, teaching children about the importance of using non-toxic, natural household cleaners and developing habits like removing their shoes when entering the house can reduce the presence of harmful particles and dirt in the air.

Sources of air pollution: natural events and human activity

Air pollution is caused by the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Sources of air pollution can be classified into four main types: mobile, stationary, area, and natural sources.

Mobile sources include cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains. These sources account for more than half of all air pollution in the United States, with automobiles being the primary contributor. Stationary sources, such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories, emit large amounts of pollution from a single location and are also known as point sources. Area sources are made up of smaller pollution sources that may not be significant on their own but can have a cumulative impact when grouped together. Examples include agricultural areas, cities, and wood-burning fireplaces.

Natural sources, such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes, can also contribute to air pollution. While these sources may not create ongoing pollution problems like human-generated sources, they can still be significant. For example, wind can carry pollutants over short or long distances, affecting areas downwind of power plants or industrial facilities that lack modern pollution controls. Additionally, chemical reactions in the atmosphere can modify pollutants before they are deposited, further complicating the issue.

Human activity, such as the combustion of fossil fuels, is a significant contributor to air pollution. Cars, trucks, factories, power plants, and incinerators release emissions that react with sunlight to form smog (ground-level ozone). Soot, another type of particulate matter, is composed of tiny particles of chemicals, soil, smoke, dust, or allergens carried in the air. Both smog and soot can irritate the eyes and throat and damage the lungs, especially in children, the elderly, and people who work or exercise outdoors.

Additionally, greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, contribute to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released through the combustion of fossil fuels, while methane comes from natural and industrial sources, including oil and gas drilling. These gases lead to rising temperatures, causing rising sea levels, more extreme weather, heat-related deaths, and increased transmission of infectious diseases.

How to check air quality: using monitoring apps and websites

There are many monitoring apps and websites that can help you check the air quality in your area. These tools are especially useful for parents and caregivers who want to protect children from the harmful effects of poor air quality. Here are some of the most popular and reliable options:

Websites

• AirNow.gov: This is the official website of the US Air Quality Index (AQI), which reports the previous day's air quality and offers forecasts for specific geographic areas. It also provides guidance on outdoor activities for schools based on the AQI.
• PurpleAir.com: This website has sensors located worldwide, allowing you to track air quality down to specific towns. Many government websites also use PurpleAir data as a source.
• IQAir: This website offers a live world map and updated articles on the world's pollution issues. It also sells air quality monitors if you want to take a more direct approach to monitoring.

Apps

• AirVisual: This app, created by the Swiss company IQAir, tracks air pollution in over 10,000 cities and 80 countries. It provides real-time maps, seven-day forecasts, and health information. AirVisual is available for free on iOS and Android devices and can be paired with the company's own sensors for more precise readings.
• AirNow: The AirNow app provides current AQI ratings and forecasts for your specific location. It also offers an interactive map that shows air quality conditions in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
• Plume Labs: This app offers hour-to-hour, colour-coded information on air quality, along with AQI readings and forecasts. It provides detailed information on various pollutants and offers tips for different activity levels, such as running, biking, or picnicking.
• AirCare: This app, developed in Northern Macedonia, is available on a variety of mobile platforms, including iOS and Android. It includes kid-friendly air pollution information, charts, and maps. AirCare offers a free ad-supported version, an ad-free version for a small fee, and a premium version with additional features.
• South Coast AQMD: This app is specific to Southern California and tracks air pollution in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. It is free and ad-free.

While these apps and websites are valuable tools for monitoring air quality, it is important to note that they may not provide absolute precision. Air quality can vary even between streets, so combining these resources with other protective measures, such as indoor air purifiers or HEPA filters, can help ensure healthier air for children.

Reducing air pollution: lifestyle changes like recycling and using public transport

Air pollution is a serious threat to children's health and development, and it's important to take steps to reduce it. Here are some lifestyle changes that can help improve the air quality for kids:

Recycling and Reusing

Recycling and repurposing items is an excellent way to reduce air pollution. When we recycle, we prevent the release of toxic emissions from landfills, which are significant contributors to air pollution. Organic recycling programs can minimize the amount of garbage in landfills. Kids can help sort food scraps, pizza boxes, paper egg cartons, and certified compostable plastics for recycling. Reusing items, such as opting for hand-me-down clothes or repairing broken toys instead of buying new ones, also reduces the need for manufacturing, lowering emissions.

Using Public Transport, Carpooling, and Active Travel

Transportation is a major source of air pollution, especially in large cities. Cars, buses, and planes release various gases and particles that pollute the air. To combat this, we can encourage the use of public transportation, such as buses or trains. Carpooling and school buses are also great options as they reduce the number of vehicles on the road. For shorter distances, walking or biking can be healthy and active alternatives that help cut back on carbon emissions.

Reducing Energy Consumption

Lowering our energy usage at home can also help reduce air pollution. Turning off lights, computers, and other electronic devices when not in use decreases carbon dioxide emissions. Using natural household cleaners can prevent dirt and dust particles from circulating into the air, and keeping a basket of shoes at the door prevents dirt from tracking inside. Additionally, simple potted houseplants can pump fresh air into indoor spaces while also being pleasant to look at.

Making these lifestyle changes can significantly contribute to reducing air pollution and creating a healthier environment for children to grow up in.

Protecting children: wearing masks and reducing outdoor activities on poor air quality days

Air pollution is one of the greatest threats to children's health, and it can have both immediate and long-lasting effects on their development. Young children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution because they breathe faster and tend to breathe through their mouths, taking in more pollutants. Their proximity to the ground, where certain pollutants reach peak concentrations, also puts them at higher risk. As their lungs and brains are still developing, air pollution can cause respiratory infections and conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma, as well as long-term cognitive and physical health issues.

To protect children from the harmful effects of air pollution, it is important to be aware of the air quality in your area. Utilize air quality monitoring apps or websites, such as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), to regularly check the Air Quality Index (AQI). This information can guide your decisions regarding outdoor activities for your children. On days with poor air quality, it is advisable to reduce or avoid outdoor activities, such as playing in parks or going for long walks. Opt for indoor recreational activities instead to minimize their exposure to harmful pollutants.

If your children need to go outdoors on days with very poor air quality, it is essential to provide them with protective masks, such as N95 masks, to safeguard their lungs from inhaling harmful pollutants. Ensure that the masks fit properly and that they know how to wear them correctly. Masks can act as a barrier, trapping particulate matter and preventing it from entering their respiratory system.

Additionally, consider investing in a high-quality air purifier for your home, especially for the rooms where your children spend most of their time. Look for air purifiers with HEPA filters, which are designed to effectively capture and remove particulate matter from the air, improving the indoor air quality.

Frequently asked questions