Pollution peril for children in pushchairs
They inhale 44% more dirt than parents
CHILDREN in pushchairs may breathe in almost 50 per cent more pollution than the parent wheeling them, researchers found.
They also suggested that traditional high prams may be better for infants than fashionable low- slung buggies, which are closer to the level of car exhaust pipes.
The experts compared the pollution inhaled by adults and children on a typical school run.
Air monitors were put into three different low- slung pushchairs with the adult carrying a monitor in their backpack.
The findings showed a baby or young child inhaled up to 44 per cent more pollution than the person pushing them.
Infants also appeared to be exposed to more particles from brakes and tyres released through wear on the roads.
Researchers found a pushchair cover could cut the amount of pollution a child was exposed to by up to 43 per cent. But they warned that these were not recommended in the summer for too long as they trap hot air and create suffocating conditions.
Professor Prashant Kumar, who led the study from the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research, said: ‘For parents, nothing is more important than the health of our children. This is why we are continuing to build on this research to understand the impact air pollution has on babies in pushchairs.’
Children breathe much more rapidly than adults so are at greater risk from pollution, which could affect brain and lung development, and aggravate asthma. The study, published in the journal Environment International, looked at buggies in which children were 50 to 80cm (20 to 31in) off the ground.
They carried out 89 short trips to and from a school in Guildford, Surrey, between 8am and 10am or 3pm and 5pm to mimic the school run.
Children were exposed to most pollution next to bus stops and traffic intersections, the researchers found on their 1.3mile walks.
Three types of buggies were used – single ones facing the road, single ones facing the adult and double pushchairs facing the road. When they looked at double versions, the child on the bottom seat faced 72 per cent greater pollution than one in the top.
Babies appeared to be exposed to more coarse and fine particles of pollution than their parents.
But the results were more fixed for tiny ultra-fine particles which get into the body more easily.
The risk appeared to be just as high for babies compared to their parents in buggies facing forwards and backwards.
Professor Kumar said: ‘ Our research shows that choices such as the type of pushchair you use can impact on the amount of pollution your child faces when you are running a typical errand.
‘But there is cause for some optimism, as our study confirms pushchair covers and upping the buggy heights appears to have shielded children from an appreciable amount of pollution.’
Children living near busy roads have up to 14 per cent slower lung growth, evidence suggests.
‘School run threat’