Kids And Clean Air: Simple Steps To Reduce Pollution

Air pollution is a serious threat to the health of children worldwide. In 2021, it was the second leading cause of death among children under five, after malnutrition. It is linked to respiratory infections, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, lung cancer, and other health issues. Young children are more vulnerable to air pollution because their organs are still developing, and they breathe faster and take in more air relative to their body weight. They also tend to spend more time outdoors and breathe air closer to the ground, where pollutants are more concentrated.

Avoid vehicles, walk or cycle

Walking or cycling is a fun and healthy way for kids to reduce their carbon footprint and avoid adding to vehicle emissions. Exhaust emissions from cars, trucks and buses are a major cause of smog and air pollution. The more vehicles we can keep off the roads, the better our air will be.

If your child is old enough and lives close enough to walk or cycle to school, this is a great way to cut back on the carbon footprint. It's also a fun, active way to start and end the day. If your child is younger, or lives further away, you could consider driving part of the way and parking a short distance from the school, so you can walk or cycle together for part of the journey. This will still help to reduce air pollution and will also give your child the benefits of fresh air and exercise.

If your child usually takes the bus to school, you could consider switching to walking or cycling, or even carpooling with other parents. Carpooling is a great way to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and it can also be a fun, social experience for kids.

At the weekends, or during school holidays, you could make a fun family day out of walking or cycling to your destination. Pack a picnic, plan a scenic route, and enjoy spending time together while also helping to reduce air pollution.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Air pollution is a serious threat to the health of children, and it's important that we all do our part to reduce it. Here are some ways that you can help reduce air pollution and protect yourself by reducing, reusing, and recycling:

Reduce

• Only buy what you need.
• Choose products with less packaging.
• Walk or ride your bike to school or other places.
• Encourage your family to carpool and get their car tuned up regularly.
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
• Avoid using chemical sprays and cleaners.
• Stay indoors when there is a Smog or Air Health Advisory, and avoid high-traffic areas.
• Ask smokers in your family to refrain from smoking, especially on bad air quality days.
• Avoid using gasoline-powered tools like lawn mowers and leaf blowers on bad air days.

Reuse

• Refill a water bottle with water from home instead of buying a new one.
• Update your computer instead of throwing it out and getting a new one.
• Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags.
• Pass on items you no longer need to others who can use them.

Recycle

• Separate items that can be recycled and put them in the recycling bin.
• Check if items can be recycled before throwing them away.
• Use composting bins to turn organic waste into usable mulch.

Remember, reducing, reusing, and recycling can help eliminate waste, protect your health, and save money and energy!

Avoid chemical sprays and cleaners

Air pollution is a serious threat to children's health, and it is important to take steps to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants. One way to do this is to avoid the use of chemical sprays and cleaners, which can contain toxic substances that contribute to indoor air pollution.

Chemical sprays such as hair spray, bug spray, air fresheners, and nail polish remover contain chemicals that can be harmful to children's health. These products often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can evaporate at room temperature and contribute to smog and air pollution. Inhaling these chemicals can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and cause breathing difficulties, especially for children with asthma or allergies.

Instead of using chemical sprays, opt for alternative products such as roll-on deodorants, creams, and sticks. These non-aerosol products are less likely to contribute to air pollution and are better for your family's health. For example, natural deodorants often use ingredients like baking soda and arrowroot powder to absorb odours and promote dryness, without releasing harmful chemicals into the air.

Similarly, it is important to avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, which can release toxic fumes and leave behind residues that can be harmful to children. Opt for natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly cleaning products that are safe for both your family and the environment. These products often use ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils, which are effective at cleaning and disinfecting without the harmful side effects.

Natural cleaning products are not only better for indoor air quality, but they can also help reduce water pollution. When you use traditional chemical cleaners, the toxic chemicals can end up in our waterways, harming aquatic life and contributing to environmental degradation. By choosing natural alternatives, you are not only protecting your child's health but also helping to preserve the planet for future generations.

In addition to avoiding chemical sprays and cleaners, it is important to take other steps to reduce indoor air pollution. Ensure your home is well-ventilated by opening windows and using exhaust fans, especially when cooking or using chemicals. Keep your children away from second-hand smoke, and avoid burning candles or incense, which can release toxins into the air.

Stay indoors when air pollution is high

Staying indoors is one of the most effective ways to protect children from harmful air pollution. While it might not always be possible, there are several things you can do to ensure that your child is safe when air pollution levels are high.

Firstly, it is important to monitor air quality information for your area on a daily basis. This information is often available on weather apps or local news, and it can help you anticipate periods of high air pollution. During these times, it is best to keep children indoors as much as possible. If your child has a pre-existing medical condition, such as asthma or other respiratory issues, it is especially important to limit their time outdoors when air pollution is high. Strenuous activity should also be minimised during these periods, as children breathe faster and deeper when they are physically active, taking in more air relative to their body weight.

If you know that air pollution levels are going to be high, you can plan indoor activities for your children, such as board games, reading, or watching a movie. This can help keep them entertained while also protecting their health. It is also important to keep them away from indoor air pollution sources, such as second-hand smoke, building products, cleaning supplies, and other household chemicals. Using cleaner fuels and technologies for cooking and heating, such as electricity, natural gas, or solar power, can help reduce indoor air pollution.

In addition to staying indoors, there are other measures you can take to protect your child's health during periods of high air pollution. If your child needs to go outdoors, try to keep them away from high-traffic areas, especially during rush hour. Pollutants from vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and buses, are a major contributor to smog, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and make breathing difficult.

By combining staying indoors with other strategies, such as avoiding high-traffic areas and minimising strenuous activity, you can effectively reduce your child's exposure to harmful air pollution and protect their health.

Improve indoor air quality

Improving the air quality in your home can help reduce your child's exposure to harmful air pollution. Here are some ways to enhance indoor air quality and create a healthier environment for your children:

Use cleaner fuels and technologies

Switching to cleaner fuels and appliances can significantly improve indoor air quality. Opt for electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biogas, or solar power for cooking, heating, and lighting your home. These alternatives produce fewer emissions, reducing the presence of harmful pollutants in the air.

Ensure proper ventilation

Ventilation is crucial for maintaining good indoor air quality. Keep the cooking area well-ventilated by opening windows and using exhaust fans to allow fumes and heat to escape. If your kitchen has poor ventilation, consider cooking outdoors or in a separate, well-ventilated area. Proper ventilation helps prevent the buildup of pollutants and reduces the risk of exposure to harmful fumes.

Maintain appliances

Regularly maintain stoves, chimneys, and other fuel-burning appliances to ensure they operate efficiently. Inefficient burning of fuel can release higher levels of pollutants, so proper maintenance is essential for keeping indoor air clean.

Avoid indoor smoking

Smoking indoors or near children and pregnant women can expose them to harmful second-hand smoke. Make sure to smoke outside and avoid smoking around children altogether to protect them from this preventable source of indoor air pollution.

Be mindful of indoor contaminants

Various household products can contribute to indoor air pollution. Avoid using chemical sprays, oil-based paints, and other airborne contaminants like cleaning supplies and household chemicals. Opt for natural, non-toxic alternatives whenever possible to reduce the presence of toxic chemicals in the air.

Consider air purifiers

If feasible, investing in air purifiers with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can effectively reduce indoor air pollution. These purifiers can help capture and remove pollutants, improving the overall air quality in your home.

Healthy habits and lifestyle

Encourage healthy habits and lifestyles for your children to reduce the impact of air pollution. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, ensuring immunizations are up to date, promoting healthy diets, and providing opportunities for physical activity can all contribute to building stronger resistance to the health complications caused by air pollution.

By implementing these measures, you can effectively improve indoor air quality and reduce your child's exposure to harmful pollutants, creating a healthier and safer environment for them to grow and thrive.

Frequently asked questions