Children are more vulnerable to air pollution

A recent report that was published in the Indian Journal of Paediatrics said that both boys and girls in the country are found to have lungs that are 10 per cent smaller. 

Stating that while creating awareness on preventing rise in pollution levels is essential, Dr Prasanna Kumar Thomas, a renowned pulmonologist, said, “It is however important for the public to realise that it is not just outdoor pollution but indoor pollution as well that affects one’s breathing. As children are affected more than adults, parents must take extra precautions to avoid exposing them to cigarette smoke.”

Explaining further, he said, “Pollution may be higher in certain parts of the city, like Alandur. However, it is continuing to rise everywhere. Therefore, instead of panicking, parents must try to reduce the amount of pollution they contribute.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr N Thomas, another pulmonologist, said, “Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults. They tend to breathe in much more air than adults, which puts them at an extremely high risk in a country like ours”

A recent report of the Lancet Commission on pollution and health had stated that around 19 lakh people die prematurely every year from diseases caused by outdoor and indoor air pollution.

“Earlier, it was felt that if children are taken out of Delhi, their lung growth would not be affected. However, cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, etc., are now considered highly polluted as well,” stated Dr K Parthiban, a pulmonologist, adding, “As this is nothing short of a public health emergency, a comprehensive policy needs to be formulated by our policy makers to curb pollution.”