Table of Contents
Why are children more at risk?
As children are growing, their developing lungs and brains makes them especially vulnerable to air pollution.
Their immune systems are weaker than adults, making them more vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and other infections. This increases the risk of respiratory infection and reduces their ability to fight it.
Young children breathe faster than adults and take in more air relative to their body weight, often through the mouth, which takes in more pollutants. They are also closer to the ground, where some pollutants reach peak concentrations.
How does air pollution impact children?
Air pollution causes both immediate and long-term health effects in children that can be irreversible.
Air pollution is linked to respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma. It can exacerbate underlying health conditions and harm children’s physical and cognitive development. As a result, other areas of children’s lives can be affected. For example, when children get sick, they might miss school, further limiting their learning and development potential.
And the effects of air pollution can last a lifetime. Adults who were exposed to air pollution as children tend to have respiratory problems later in life.
During pregnancy: A woman’s body can store harmful chemicals from the air, passing them to her baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Air pollution can seriously affect the health of the foetus. It can lead to negative pregnancy outcomes – such as miscarriages, early delivery and low birth weight – and can impact the healthy development of children’s brains.
What symptoms of exposure to air pollution should I look out for?
Here are some symptoms that can result from exposure to air pollution. Talk to your doctor if a member of your family experience any of these symptoms.
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Dry/irritated eyes, headache, fatigue, allergies or shortness of breath. In infants, look out for signs of exertion while breathing.
- People with asthma might experience more severe asthmatic attacks, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing or wheezing.
