Air pollution has disproportionate negative health effects on children. It can cause respiratory illnesses, lower lung function, and increase sickness and mortality rates. Children are more vulnerable because they spend more time outdoors, have higher breathing rates, and their lungs are still developing. Major pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide can cause both short and long-term lung damage in children. Parents and societies can take steps to reduce children's exposure and advocate for stronger pollution control policies and regulations.

1. Effects of Air Pollution on
Children
Dr. Desh Deepak
MD
Specilaist in respiratory diseases, allergy, sleep
disorders & critical care
Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.

2. quot;WHO would like to provide its 191
Member States with irrefutable
evidence that air pollution causes
disproportionately heavy burden of
diseasequot;
Dr Michael Repacholi
WHO Coordinator,
Occupational and Environmental Health.

3. 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.

4. Sources of air pollution :
Natural - Dust storms, volcanoes, foods,
lightning, etc.
Man-made - industrial activities,
automobile exhausts.
agricultural,
domestic conditions,

6. 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 poisonous
e.g. CO, chlorine, NH3, H2S, SO2, NO2, CO2.

7. Major Pollutants
Ozone Transient damage
Permanent 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

8. Nitrogen Dioxide
Short term - respiratory infections
trigger asthma
lung function
respiratory 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

9. Lead
- Nerve damage
IQ
perceptual motor skills
- Anemia
- Kidney damage
- High blood pressure

10. Sulfur dioxide
- Trigger asthma especially in children
sulfur dioxide affects adults and children differently
and that chronic and acute effects may also be
different

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

12. Air Pollution:
How Grievous? ?

13. Around 30-40% of cases of
asthma and 20-30% of all
respiratory diseases may be
linked to air pollution

14. - increased acute respiratory diseases
- lowered lung function in children
- increased sickness rates;
- increases in mortality

15. 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

16. Control of air pollution

17. 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

18. What can we do to protect
our kids?

19. 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

20. Make indoor environment quot;lung healthyquot;
Smoke-free
regular cleaning
leaks or moisture problems

21. 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

22. 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

23. Thank you