Air pollution is one of the common terms that your ears are familiar with today. From time to time you hear about pollution in the media. Air pollution is a type of pollution that refers to the contamination of the air, both indoors and outdoors. Physical, biological, or chemical changes to the air can create pollution. Air pollution makes it difficult for plants, animals, and humans to survive because the air becomes dirty. Constant breathing of polluted air can be very harmful to you and can permanently damage your child’s lungs and brain.
In this context, UNICEF also noted in its document that nearly 17 million children under one year of age live in areas where air pollution is six times higher than the permissible limit. That means breathing toxic air that puts your child’s brain development at risk.
How air pollution is dangerous for children’s brains
Air pollution is caused by a combination of physical, biological, or chemical impurities. It can also contain ultra-fine pollution particles so small they can enter the nostrils and pass into the bloodstream before reaching the brain. Impurities that are not visible to the naked eye can damage the blood-brain barrier and cause neuroinflammation. Contaminants, such as ultrafine magnetite, can also enter the body and cause oxidative stress, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. Regular breathing of polluted air can damage your child’s brain and seriously impair its learning and development.
Reduce the impact of air pollution on children
To ensure your child breathes healthy air, parents can take some steps to reduce children’s exposure to air pollution in the home.
- Protect your child from breathing harmful fumes from tobacco products and stoves.
- You can invest in an air filter/air purifier so your child can breathe clean air.
- Make sure you use renewable energy sources instead of burning fossil fuels.
- Try to increase the number of green spaces in urban areas
- Provide better waste management facilities
- Stop open burning of harmful chemicals
- Wear air filtration masks when pollution levels seem high.
You can also improve your knowledge of how to monitor air pollution to reduce your children’s exposure to pollutants. By understanding air quality and following the procedures above, you can ensure that your child’s air is clean from the start.