Air Pollution Can Be Detrimental For Infants Too- Stay Clear Say Experts

April 2, 2019

Air pollution is now a serious health concern that is already killing 7 million people annually and potentially affecting the lives of millions of people across the world.. .

A recent report by the World Health Organization estimates that 9 in 10 people globally are exposed to dangerous levels of pollutants that can lead to cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Another research report suggests that air pollution levels even when deemed safe may be associated with an increased risk of diabetes globally. Air pollution is found to have a negative health impact at every stage of life.

A report by UNICEF says “Air pollution is associated with some of the biggest killers of children, such as pneumonia, which is responsible for the deaths of 920,000 children under 5 years of age every year.

Air pollution is also linked with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections and diseases, which can be debilitating, forcing children to miss school, and even cause long-lasting damage to their health and well being”

Clean air is crucial for a child’s future, especially for the first 1,000 days of life, when the brain undergoes the most critical and rapid growth.

Air pollution can hamper brain development, lowering IQ levels, scores and can also trigger neurological-behavioural problems such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and development delays. Air pollution impacts not only the newborns, since it also poses a risk to the babies in the womb as the toxic air travels through a mothers body to the baby in the womb.

Dr Lisa Miyashita, a researcher on the team who works at the Queen Mary University of London, “It is always good (if possible) to take less polluted routes if you are pregnant – or indeed if you are not pregnant. I avoid busy roads when I walk to the station.

Air pollution impacts pregnant women and it has already been well established that air pollution significantly increases the risk of premature birth, low birth weight babies and possible even lifelong damage to a baby’s health

Speaking on the increasing health hazards due to air pollution, A city-based Pulmonologist Dr Jayesh Jadhav says, As pollution is increasing day-by-day and is today the biggest threat to everyone.

It is true that air pollution is impacting the babies that are yet to be born as well. The number of children coming in the emergency room is increasing over the past few years among which many come with respiratory infections and asthma.

In order to have a healthy baby, Mothers and to be mothers mothers need to take steps to prevent such issues.

Avoid going out when the pollution levels are high, it is observed that air pollution is more during peak hours. Therefore, go out either in the early mornings or in the evenings. Also, ensure you walk on green grass and open space.
Drink plenty of water
Avoid taking the route where there is more garbage and if driving or riding, use the road with less traffic. When outdoors, protect yourself with a good quality face mask.
Open the door and windows when you’re in the house, Keep your house well ventilated. Avoid use of carpets or anything that can help trap unhealthy dust particles, fungi, mites and so on..
Avoid use of perfumes, deodorants, sprays and harmful cleaning products.

#All views expressed in this article are those of the individual respondents and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them. Advise/ guidance mentioned here is purely for reader awareness and is not to be construed as medical advise.