Schoolkids inhale killer morning smog
Prolonged exposure to particulate matter can lead to respiratory distress, stunted growth and cognitive disorders among children; Experts: keep them indoors, avoid exertion
NEW DELHI: It is the young lungs, especially under five years of age, that suffer the maximum damage when air pollution levels peak, say doctors.
For children, the risk really begins very early — right from the womb and continues through till early childhood.
“Long-term, recurrent exposure to pollution is linked to underdeveloped lungs in children, low birth weight, heart diseases, stroke, and now, studies show associations of pollution with reduced cognitive abilities as well,” Dr BK Tripathi, professor of medicine, Safdarjung hospital, said.
SHORT-TERM IMPACT
The exposure to air pollution leads to immediate breathing difficulties, respiratory symptoms, and irritation of the eye.
“Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable — whatever symptoms people are experiencing, they are more pronounced in them. In my clinic, people who already have existing conditions such as asthma and COPD are coming with exacerbated symptoms,” Dr Sandeep Nayyar, head of the department of respiratory medicine, allergy and sleep disorders, BL Kapur Super Speciality Hospital, said.
“When pollution is at its peak, children who already have minor breathing issues get aggravated symptoms that don’t allow them proper sleep at night. Lack of sleep over a period of time can lead to altered moods and memory issues,” Dr Manvir Bhatia, sleep medicine expert, said.
Doctors usually advise parents to ensure that their child stays indoors when pollution levels are high. “Parents should ensure that the child remains occupied with fun indoor activities to prevent them from having mood issues and becoming irritable,” Dr Rajesh Sagar, professor, psychiatry department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, said.
The WHO report stated that children are uniquely vulnerable to air pollution — they breathe faster than adults inhaling more pollutants, they live closer to the ground where pollution levels are concentrated, and they spend more time outdoors.
LONG-TERM IMPACT Repeated exposure can lead to children developing asthma and other allergic respiratory symptoms later in life.
“There are studies that show that in children, exposure to high pollution levels can lead to them developing chronic respiratory conditions,” Dr Arup Basu, senior consultant, department of chest medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said. “The allergic symptoms irritate the mucous membrane lining the airway and damage it. Recurrence of the symptoms leads to scarring and irreversible damage of the lining,” Dr Tripathi said.
An increase of 100 μ g/m3 in the PM2.5 during birth month was associated with a decrease of .05cm in height-for-age of child. This means a 5-year-old girl will be 0.24 cm shorter than average.