{"id":13967,"date":"2021-02-08T12:23:36","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T04:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/?p=13967"},"modified":"2021-02-17T04:32:43","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T20:32:43","slug":"air-pollution-effects-on-childrens-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/air-pollution-effects-on-childrens-health\/","title":{"rendered":"How Air Pollution Affects Children&#8217;s Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Air pollution affects all of us, including children. In recent years, more research has been done on how air pollution affects children&#8217;s health and the results are scary.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, the WHO recently published <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/ceh\/publications\/Advance-copy-Oct24_18150_Air-Pollution-and-Child-Health-merged-compressed.pdf?ua=1\">a 172 page paper<\/a> on the damaging effects air pollution has on children. They started the paper by saying:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;The evidence is clear: air pollution has a devastating impact on children\u2019s health.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Yikes!<\/p>\n<h3>How Many Children Are Affected By Air Pollution?<\/h3>\n<p><span>Air pollution is a problem everywhere. A recent WHO study shows 93% of children globally live in environments with air pollution levels over the recommended guidelines. Even the other 7% of children are still impacted by pollution.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In fact, we recently discussed why <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/heres-why-the-who-air-quality-guidelines-are-unsafe\/\">the WHO air pollution guidelines are actually not safe<\/a> and how low levels of pollution can have the biggest health consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14009\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14009\" style=\"width: 590px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WHO-map-600x309.png\" alt=\"Children all around the world are affected by air pollution\" width=\"600\" height=\"309\" class=\"wp-image-14009 size-medium\" style=\"font-size: 16px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WHO-map-600x309.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WHO-map-1024x528.png 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WHO-map-300x155.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WHO-map-768x396.png 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WHO-map.png 1498w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14009\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Note: Even children in the green areas can be seriously affected by the local air pollution<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Children Are More Vulnerable to Air Pollution Than Adults<\/h3>\n<p>Air pollution is everywhere and affects everyone of all ages. But children are in many ways the most at risk when it comes to air pollution&#8217;s negative health effects.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s why:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Their organs (heart, lungs, etc) are still developing<\/li>\n<li>They breathe faster than adults, resulting in breathing in more pollutants<\/li>\n<li>They may spend more time outside playing, exposing them to poor outdoor air quality levels<\/li>\n<li>children spend much time near their mothers while the latter cook with polluting fuels and devices.<\/li>\n<li>Children have a longer life expectancy than adults, so latent disease mechanisms have more time to emerge and affect their health<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Air Pollution Affects Children Before Birth<\/h3>\n<p>Even while a baby is still in the womb, pollution can affect it&#8217;s health. In fact, there is a strong link between exposure to certain pollutants and birth defects (especially PM, SO2, NOx, O3 and CO).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fetus.v1-600x333.png\" alt=\"Pollution in filter, not baby\" width=\"600\" height=\"333\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-12486 aligncenter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fetus.v1-600x333.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fetus.v1-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fetus.v1-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fetus.v1.png 904w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In particular, studies show exposure to dangerous particulate matter (PM) increases odds of premature birth and low birth weight. There is also evidence that pollution increases the odds of stillbirth and the birth of small for gestational age (SGA) babies<\/p>\n<p>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/air-pollution-effects-fertility-newborn-health\/\">Air Pollution Affects Fertility and Newborn Baby Health<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Air Pollution&#8217;s Effects on Children&#8217;s Health<\/h3>\n<p>Air pollution is one of the largest threats to a child&#8217;s health. In fact, air pollution accounts for 1 in 10 deaths in children under five years old.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Infant mortality. <\/strong>As pollution levels increase, as does the odds of infant mortality, particularly from exposure to PM and toxic gases.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.25.54-PM-600x446.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"446\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13986 aligncenter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.25.54-PM-600x446.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.25.54-PM-1024x762.png 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.25.54-PM-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.25.54-PM-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.25.54-PM.png 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Neurodevelopment<\/strong>. Recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/monitor\/2012\/07-08\/smog#:~:text=Now%2C%20evidence%20is%20mounting%20that,possibly%20even%20contribute%20to%20depression.\">research<\/a> suggests pollution may damage children&#8217;s cognitive abilities. Pollution may also influence the development of a variety of behavioral diseases in children, such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.20.43-PM-600x112.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"112\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13984 aligncenter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.20.43-PM-600x112.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.20.43-PM-1024x191.png 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.20.43-PM-300x56.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.20.43-PM-768x143.png 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.20.43-PM-1536x286.png 1536w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-7.20.43-PM.png 1634w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Childhood obesity<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/cen.acs.org\/environment\/pollution\/Childhood-obesity-linked-indoor-air\/98\/i25#:~:text=This%20study%20is%20the%20first,an%20institution%20of%20higher%20education.\">Studies<\/a> have shown a possible link between pollution and childhood obesity. The WHO suggested<span> air pollution increases the risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and some cancers, which may affect body weight. Pollution may also reduce a child&#8217;s metabolism, leading to weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/metabolism-600x390.jpg\" alt=\"Air Pollution Affect's Metabolism, Causes Weight Gain\" width=\"284\" height=\"185\" class=\"wp-image-14010 aligncenter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/metabolism-600x390.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/metabolism-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/metabolism-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/metabolism.jpg 870w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 284px) 100vw, 284px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Lung function<\/strong>. Children who grow up in more polluted environments are more likely to experience reduced lung growth. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lung.org\/clean-air\/outdoors\/who-is-at-risk\/children-and-air-pollution\">This<\/a> study showed a strong correlation and was even done in California, which has relatively better air quality than much of the world.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reduce-600x538.jpg\" alt=\"Air pollution reduces lung growth in children\" width=\"313\" height=\"281\" class=\"wp-image-14013 aligncenter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reduce-600x538.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reduce-1024x918.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reduce-300x269.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reduce-768x688.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reduce-1536x1376.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/reduce.jpg 1829w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 313px) 100vw, 313px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>ALRI, including pneumonia.<\/strong> Exposure to PM2.5 has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajmc.com\/view\/air-pollution-linked-to-lung-infections-especially-in-young-children\">linked<\/a> to acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) such as pneumonia in children.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Asthma.<\/strong> Exposure to pollution increases a child&#8217;s risk of developing asthma, and can exacerbate the symptoms of those with asthma.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Childhood cancers<\/strong>. There is substantial evidence that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is associated with increased risk of childhood leukaemia. Several studies have found associations between prenatal exposure to AAP and higher risk of retinoblastomas and leukaemia in children.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cancer.png\" alt=\"Air pollution can cause cancer in children\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14014 aligncenter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cancer.png 225w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cancer-60x60.png 60w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cancer-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='bottom-line'><div class='bottom-line-top'>Bottom Line<\/div><div class='bottom-line-title'>Bottom Line: How Does Air Pollution Affect Children? <\/div><div class='bottom-line-content'>\nChildren are most at risk from the negative effects of air pollution. These effects include increased odds of: birth defects, infant mortality, neurodevelopment issues, obesity, lung growth issues, pneumonia, asthma, and cancers. Unfortunately, the list goes on and nearly every child in the world faces air pollution levels that can be destructive to their health.\n<\/div><div class='bottom-line-last'>Smart Air<\/div><\/div>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Air pollution affects all of us, including children. In recent years, more research has been done on how air pollution affects children&#8217;s health and the results are scary. In fact, the WHO recently published a 172 page paper on the damaging effects air pollution has on children. They started the &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"How Air Pollution Affects Children&#8217;s Health\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/air-pollution-effects-on-childrens-health\/#more-13967\" aria-label=\"Read more about How Air Pollution Affects Children&#8217;s Health\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9087,"featured_media":13990,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,260,257],"tags":[225,74],"class_list":["post-13967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-pollution","category-air-pollution-health-effects","category-pm2-5","tag-health","tag-pm2-5","resize-featured-image"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13967","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9087"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13967"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13967\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15685,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13967\/revisions\/15685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}