Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.

Effects of Air Pollution on Children

Dr. Desh Deepak MDSpecilaist in respiratory diseases, allergy, sleep disorders & critical care

"WHO would like to provide its 191 Member States with irrefutable evidence that air pollution causes disproportionately heavy burden of disease"

Dr Michael RepacholiWHO Coordinator,Occupational and Environmental Health.

Air Pollution

It is defined as any atmospheric condition in which certain substances are present in such concentrations that they produce undesirable effects on humans and environment.

Sources of air pollution :

Natural - Dust storms, volcanoes, foods, lightning, etc.

Man-made - industrial activities, automobile exhausts. agricultural, domestic conditions,

Pollutants of air :

Particulate pollutants - are solids or liquids with size < 100 microns that remain suspended in the atmosphere.

Dust Fumes Smoke Mist Fog Bacteria

Gaseous - Toxic and poisonouse.g. CO, chlorine, NH3, H2S, SO2, NO2, CO2.

Major Pollutants

Ozone Transient damagePermanent damage

-accelerated aging of the lung Carbon monoxide

- heart disease - lung diseases - central nervous system

response to external stimuli (symptoms similar of flu)

- Normal individual during strenuous work

Nitrogen Dioxide

Short term - respiratory infections trigger asthma

lung functionrespiratory irritation

Long-term - chronic damage (emphysema)

Suppression of immune system

ability to fight off bacterial & viral infections

body's ability to generate antibodies ability to remove foreign particles

Lead- Nerve damage

IQ perceptual motor skills

- Anemia- Kidney damage - High blood pressure

Sulfur dioxide

- Trigger asthma especially in children

sulfur dioxide affects adults and children differently and that chronic and acute effects may also be different

Particulate Matter

Diesel - Cancer- Asthmatic attacks in children- Eye and throat irritation - Headache- Lightheadedness- Nausea - Perception of unpleasant odors- Lung inflammation.

Air Pollution:

How Grievous? ?

Around 30-40% of cases of

asthma and 20-30% of all

respiratory diseases may be

linked to air pollution

- increased acute respiratory

diseases

- lowered lung function in children

- increased sickness rates;

- increases in mortality

why specially in children

- Children spend more time - outdoors especially in the summertime when ozone levels are the highest - engaged in vigorous activity

- Have a higher breathing rate - Not likely to receive / understand the

biological warnings - Breathe through mouth also - Have narrower airways - Impairment of the lung's ability to

defend itself

Control of air pollution

Society Industries– Legislation– guidelines for siting of industries– emission standards for industries– development of pollution prevention

technologies

Vehicular pollution– stringent emission norms– cleaner fuel quality

What can we do to protect our kids?

Keep an eye on child’s health

Look for warning signs share observations with pediatrician.

Asthmatic child

recognize triggers and avoid them on bad air days they react more

strongly to triggers than usual

Make indoor environment "lung healthy"

Smoke-free regular cleaning leaks or moisture problems

Keep track of air pollution levels

limit the outdoor time in vigorous play during unhealthy airtime

Plan the most strenuous activities for the early morning hours

Keep outdoor activities away from busy roadways and other sources of pollution.

Make child’s guides aware of the health risks of air pollution, and frame policies

Proper disposal of waste- dry leaves, old tyres,

plastics & garbage

Shift to cleaner fuels- vehicle, cooking

Save enegry - decrease fuel consumption

Diwali

Speak out in support of clean air

Thank you