According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, every day around 93 per cent of the world’s children under the age of 15 years (1.8 billion children) breathe air that is so polluted it puts their health and development at serious risk.&nbsp;

Both outdoor and household air pollution is a threat to health across the globe. &nbsp;

More than 40 per cent of the world’s population is exposed to high levels of household air pollution from mainly cooking with polluting technologies and fuels.&nbsp;

Air pollution was the 4th leading risk factor for early death worldwide in 2019 (State of Global Air 2020). Air pollution is estimated to have contributed to 6.67 million deaths worldwide in 2019.&nbsp;

The air quantity index (AQI) is a way to measure air pollution levels. It takes into account five chief pollutants, including PM10 and PM2.5. More than half of the Indian population gets exposed to PM2·5 greater than the annual limit recommended by the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Lancet study estimates that 8.8 per cent of under-5 deaths in India could be attributed to air pollution in 2017.&nbsp;

According to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, India is home to 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, where air quality can be as much as ten times over the safe limits of air pollution recommended by WHO.&nbsp;

Why are children at higher risk?

Children are more susceptible than adults to air pollution as their lungs, brains and immune systems are still developing and their respiratory tracks are more permeable. Children also breathe more air per kilogram of body weight, so their exposure to air pollution is much greater than adults. &nbsp;

What are the effects of air pollution on children’s health and development?

Air pollution is one of the leading threats to child health, accounting for almost one in 10 deaths in children under five years of age. Air pollution can also cause asthma, childhood cancers, chronic diseases, poor lung function, pneumonia and other types of acute lower respiratory infection.&nbsp;

Together, household air pollution from cooking and ambient (outside) air pollution cause more than 50 per cent of acute lower respiratory infections in children under 5 years of age in low- and middle-income countries.&nbsp;

Every third child in Delhi has impaired lungs due to the high level of pollutants that are present in the city's air.&nbsp;

A study from Bangladesh found a pneumonia incidence among children under 5 increased by 3.2 per cent for every PM2.5 increase of 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air -- a standard measure in air pollution analysis.&nbsp;

Pregnant women exposed to polluted air are more likely to give birth prematurely and have small, low birth-weight children.&nbsp;

Air pollution accounts for 20 per cent of newborn deaths worldwide, most related to complications of low birth weight and preterm birth. Of neonatal deaths attributable to air pollution, nearly two-thirds are related to household air pollution.&nbsp;

A recent study from India revealed a negative impact of exposure to air pollution during the first trimester of pregnancy on child growth indicators. Prolonged exposure to polluted air also negatively impacts neurodevelopment in children. Air pollution affects children's learning process by exacerbating respiratory illnesses, fatigue, school absenteeism and attention problems.

The relationship of air pollution and covid pandemic on child health is interesting. Lockdowns resulted in a temporary reduction in air pollution levels but the situation has become worse again after lifting of covid restrictions. There is also evidence that air pollution may increase the risk of covid infection by affecting the body’s immunity.

Government’s Response

Several factors have been identified for polluted air, namely- Industrial emissions, automobile emissions, stubble burning, construction and demolition activities, use of unsafe fuels for cooking etc.&nbsp;

India has taken several steps at the central and state level to control pollution and improve air quality—be it the use of CNG, the odd-even measures in Delhi, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for clean fuel, or the National Clean Air Programme.&nbsp;

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner.&nbsp;

In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, NACP implementation has faced a number of challenges. The program also focussed on 122 big cities only. A parliamentary committee too has acknowledged the lack of air pollution data from smaller cities and towns and the need for more transparency in the monitoring of NACP.&nbsp;

A large scale survey study from India found a homogenous effect of air pollution on child health in both NACP and non-NACP cities.&nbsp;

Save the Children’s Role

Save the Children advocates for the need for clean air, through participation in Multisectoral convergence meetings at the national and state levels on child health- where air pollution is also part of discussions.

The organisation advocates and works for ensuring a safe environment, especially in schools and anganwadis.

Save the Children with partners have supported the Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare, Government of India in drafting Childhood Pneumonia Management guidelines that include reduction of air pollution as a key preventive intervention.

Way Forward

With the recent announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India aims to achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2070, the time to act is now.

The right combination of political will, appropriate implementation, and a strong compliance mechanism from both the government and private sector are required to move forward.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, every day around 93 per cent of the world’s children under the age of 15 years (1.8 billion children) breathe air that is so polluted it puts their health and development at serious risk.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, every day around 93 per cent of the world’s children under the age of 15 years (1.8 billion children) breathe air that is so polluted it puts their health and development at serious risk. Both outdoor and household air pollution is a threat to health across the globe. More than 40 per cent of the world’s population is exposed to high levels of household air pollution from mainly cooking with polluting technologies and fuels. Air pollution was the 4th leading risk factor for early death worldwide in 2019 (State of Global Air 2020). Air pollution is estimated to have contributed to 6.67 million deaths worldwide in 2019. The air quantity index (AQI) is a way to measure air pollution levels. It takes into account five chief pollutants, including PM10 and PM2.5. More than half of the Indian population gets exposed to PM2·5 greater than the annual limit recommended by the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Lancet study estimates that 8.8 per cent of under-5 deaths in India could be attributed to air pollution in 2017. According to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, India is home to 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, where air quality can be as much as ten times over the safe limits of air pollution recommended by WHO. Why are children at higher risk? Children are more susceptible than adults to air pollution as their lungs, brains and immune systems are still developing and their respiratory tracks are more permeable. Children also breathe more air per kilogram of body weight, so their exposure to air pollution is much greater than adults. What are the effects of air pollution on children’s health and development? Air pollution is one of the leading threats to child health, accounting for almost one in 10 deaths in children under five years of age. Air pollution can also cause asthma, childhood cancers, chronic diseases, poor lung function, pneumonia and other types of acute lower respiratory infection. Together, household air pollution from cooking and ambient (outside) air pollution cause more than 50 per cent of acute lower respiratory infections in children under 5 years of age in low- and middle-income countries. Every third child in Delhi has impaired lungs due to the high level of pollutants that are present in the city's air. A study from Bangladesh found a pneumonia incidence among children under 5 increased by 3.2 per cent for every PM2.5 increase of 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air -- a standard measure in air pollution analysis. Pregnant women exposed to polluted air are more likely to give birth prematurely and have small, low birth-weight children. Air pollution accounts for 20 per cent of newborn deaths worldwide, most related to complications of low birth weight and preterm birth. Of neonatal deaths attributable to air pollution, nearly two-thirds are related to household air pollution. A recent study from India revealed a negative impact of exposure to air pollution during the first trimester of pregnancy on child growth indicators. Prolonged exposure to polluted air also negatively impacts neurodevelopment in children. Air pollution affects children's learning process by exacerbating respiratory illnesses, fatigue, school absenteeism and attention problems. The relationship of air pollution and covid pandemic on child health is interesting. Lockdowns resulted in a temporary reduction in air pollution levels but the situation has become worse again after lifting of covid restrictions. There is also evidence that air pollution may increase the risk of covid infection by affecting the body’s immunity. Government’s Response Several factors have been identified for polluted air, namely- Industrial emissions, automobile emissions, stubble burning, construction and demolition activities, use of unsafe fuels for cooking etc. India has taken several steps at the central and state level to control pollution and improve air quality—be it the use of CNG, the odd-even measures in Delhi, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for clean fuel, or the National Clean Air Programme. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, NACP implementation has faced a number of challenges. The program also focussed on 122 big cities only. A parliamentary committee too has acknowledged the lack of air pollution data from smaller cities and towns and the need for more transparency in the monitoring of NACP. A large scale survey study from India found a homogenous effect of air pollution on child health in both NACP and non-NACP cities. Save the Children’s Role Save the Children advocates for the need for clean air, through participation in Multisectoral convergence meetings at the national and state levels on child health- where air pollution is also part of discussions. The organisation advocates and works for ensuring a safe environment, especially in schools and anganwadis. Save the Children with partners have supported the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in drafting Childhood Pneumonia Management guidelines that include reduction of air pollution as a key preventive intervention. Way Forward With the recent announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India aims to achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2070, the time to act is now. The right combination of political will, appropriate implementation, and a strong compliance mechanism from both the government and private sector are required to move forward.

Opinion | Air pollution and child health: Time to act is now!

According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), people in the national capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year, as unhelpful meteorological conditions trap pollutants coming from local sources and stubble burning in neighbouring states - Punjab and Haryana.

On Saturday, the Delhi government announced closure of physical classes in schools, colleges and other educational institutions for a week from Monday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/schools-to-be-closed-government-employees-to-work-from-home-delhi-cm-kejriwal-issues-order-on-air-pollution-429040">Also Read:&nbsp;Schools to be closed in Delhi, government employees to work from home</a>

All government offices, agencies and autonomous bodies, except those involved in essential services, have been asked to work from home.

No construction and demolition activity is allowed in the capital till November 17, it announced in a desperate effort to contain spiralling air pollution levels.

Doctors say there has been a "30 to 40 per cent increase" in the number of people coming to hospitals with respiratory problems.

"We have observed an increase in the severity of asthma attacks. Those with pre-existing respiratory issues are requiring hospitalisation. These are acute effects of the hazardous air pollution in the city," said Dr Vikas Maurya, head of Pulmonology Department, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-pollution-situation-very-serious-in-new-delhi-says-indias-cji-nv-ramana-428954">Also Read:&nbsp;Air pollution situation 'very serious’ in New Delhi, says India's CJI NV Ramana</a>

The hospital has been reporting 25 to 30 cases of respiratory disorders per day. Of these, three to four are of "severe" nature.&nbsp;

Around 50-55 patients with breathing issues are admitted in the hospital at present, he said.

Dr Abhinav Guliani, pulmonologist, Ganga Ram Hospital, said there has been a two to threefold increase in the number of patients with respiratory infections since Diwali.

"We have been witnessing up to 30 patients per week. Normally, we would see around 10 to 20 such patients in a week," he said.

The hospital has been advising elderly patients and those with respiratory diseases to stay at home and step out only if it is absolutely necessary.

Dr Neetu Jain, senior pulmonologist at PSRI Hospital, said they have recorded at least 25 per cent increase in respiratory diseases.

"We have admitted around seven patients, who have been stable in the last one year, after the rise in air pollution. We have also witnessed an uptick in the number of people without any history of respiratory illnesses," she said.&nbsp;

According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), people in the national capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year, as unhelpful meteorological conditions trap pollutants coming from local sources and stubble burning in neighbouring states - Punjab and Haryana.

According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), people in the national capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year, as unhelpful meteorological conditions trap pollutants coming from local sources and stubble burning in neighbouring states - Punjab and Haryana. On Saturday, the Delhi government announced closure of physical classes in schools, colleges and other educational institutions for a week from Monday. Also Read: Schools to be closed in Delhi, government employees to work from home All government offices, agencies and autonomous bodies, except those involved in essential services, have been asked to work from home. No construction and demolition activity is allowed in the capital till November 17, it announced in a desperate effort to contain spiralling air pollution levels. Doctors say there has been a "30 to 40 per cent increase" in the number of people coming to hospitals with respiratory problems. "We have observed an increase in the severity of asthma attacks. Those with pre-existing respiratory issues are requiring hospitalisation. These are acute effects of the hazardous air pollution in the city," said Dr Vikas Maurya, head of Pulmonology Department, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. Also Read: Air pollution situation 'very serious’ in New Delhi, says India's CJI NV Ramana The hospital has been reporting 25 to 30 cases of respiratory disorders per day. Of these, three to four are of "severe" nature. Around 50-55 patients with breathing issues are admitted in the hospital at present, he said. Dr Abhinav Guliani, pulmonologist, Ganga Ram Hospital, said there has been a two to threefold increase in the number of patients with respiratory infections since Diwali. "We have been witnessing up to 30 patients per week. Normally, we would see around 10 to 20 such patients in a week," he said. The hospital has been advising elderly patients and those with respiratory diseases to stay at home and step out only if it is absolutely necessary. Dr Neetu Jain, senior pulmonologist at PSRI Hospital, said they have recorded at least 25 per cent increase in respiratory diseases. "We have admitted around seven patients, who have been stable in the last one year, after the rise in air pollution. We have also witnessed an uptick in the number of people without any history of respiratory illnesses," she said.

Respiratory cases on rise in Delhi amid rising pollution levels, says doctors

According to a new study, one in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia is due to air pollution.&nbsp;The polluted air starts choking a baby even before birth.&nbsp;It causes miscarriages and&nbsp;foetal deaths.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-pollution-in-india-led-to-17-million-deaths-in-2019-study-351871">Air pollution in India led to 1.7 million deaths in 2019: Study</a>

The study says that nearly 350,000 failed pregnancies in South Asia can be attributed to air pollution and&nbsp;out of this, 67 per cent are in rural areas.

Wuhan virus has caused worldwide deaths, but vaccines are more than a ray of hope.&nbsp;However, another invisible killer is still on the prowl, an old enemy of humankind that is responsible for 1.6 million deaths each year.&nbsp;It has now been established as a key contributor in failed pregnancies.

According to a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, air pollution is leading to numerous stillbirths and miscarriages in South Asia.

It reveals that nearly 350,000 failed pregnancies in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh can be attributed to poor air quality.

Poor quality means the presence of PM2.5 particles, which are produced by farming, industrial activity, wood-burning and transport.

PM2.5 particles are harmful to all human beings but for an unborn baby, they can be lethal.

The survey indicates that over 34,197 women in South Asia have lost one pregnancy each due to bad air.

<h2>Rural areas are also not safe</h2>

As many as 77 per cent of these women are reportedly from India and out of this 67 per cent belong to rural areas.

These rural areas are the ones that often get neglected in the rush to cleanse the air in big cities.

Air pollution is hurting rural India too and in fact is at par with urban &amp; industrialised areas.

A 2015 study revealed that 75% of the total air pollution-related deaths in India take place in rural areas.

<h2>Whom should we blame?</h2>

The biggest reason is the widespread usage of traditional cooking fuels, noxious fumes from dung cakes, charcoal, crop residue, coal and kerosene oil.

The Indian government has initiated programs to reduce household use of biomass fuels.

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is improving access to LPG in rural areas but there is still a long way to go.

This report tells us that we can no longer view air pollution through a city-centric lens and we can no longer limit our action to protecting those around us as children are getting killed before they are even born. 
&nbsp;

According to a new study, one in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia is due to air pollution. The polluted air starts choking a baby even before birth. It causes miscarriages and foetal deaths.

According to a new study, one in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia is due to air pollution. The polluted air starts choking a baby even before birth. It causes miscarriages and foetal deaths. Also read | Air pollution in India led to 1.7 million deaths in 2019: Study The study says that nearly 350,000 failed pregnancies in South Asia can be attributed to air pollution and out of this, 67 per cent are in rural areas. Wuhan virus has caused worldwide deaths, but vaccines are more than a ray of hope. However, another invisible killer is still on the prowl, an old enemy of humankind that is responsible for 1.6 million deaths each year. It has now been established as a key contributor in failed pregnancies. According to a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, air pollution is leading to numerous stillbirths and miscarriages in South Asia. It reveals that nearly 350,000 failed pregnancies in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh can be attributed to poor air quality. Poor quality means the presence of PM2.5 particles, which are produced by farming, industrial activity, wood-burning and transport. PM2.5 particles are harmful to all human beings but for an unborn baby, they can be lethal. The survey indicates that over 34,197 women in South Asia have lost one pregnancy each due to bad air. Rural areas are also not safe As many as 77 per cent of these women are reportedly from India and out of this 67 per cent belong to rural areas. These rural areas are the ones that often get neglected in the rush to cleanse the air in big cities. Air pollution is hurting rural India too and in fact is at par with urban & industrialised areas. A 2015 study revealed that 75% of the total air pollution-related deaths in India take place in rural areas. Whom should we blame? The biggest reason is the widespread usage of traditional cooking fuels, noxious fumes from dung cakes, charcoal, crop residue, coal and kerosene oil. The Indian government has initiated programs to reduce household use of biomass fuels. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is improving access to LPG in rural areas but there is still a long way to go. This report tells us that we can no longer view air pollution through a city-centric lens and we can no longer limit our action to protecting those around us as children are getting killed before they are even born.

Air pollution causes stillbirths and miscarriages in South Asia, says study