Effects of Air Pollution in Children

Air pollution is the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more contaminants such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke, or vapor in quantities and of characteristics and duration such as to be injurious to human, plant, animal life, or to property(wikipedia). The presence of pollutants in the outdoor air contributes to numerous health effects ranging fro m irritation and odor to acute and long term lung impairments, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular problems(Suwanwaiphatthana, 2010).

Children, especially those under 8 years of age, are at greater risk fro m outdoor air pollution due to lung development and function(Suwanwaiphatthana, 2010). Every time children inhale, it carries dangerous air pollutants into their bodies. Air pollution for young children has increased over the past several years. We must examine the practical obligations, the need for appropriate action, and decision making process to air pollution.

It is our practical obligation to recognize what air pollution is doing to children around us.Seven basic distinctions, (part anatomic, part physiologic, part biochemical and part behavioral) render children more vulnerable than adults to polluted air; higher aspiratory; flow rate at rest; higher level of activity; closer proximity of breathing zone to the ground; nature of play activity; more mouth breathing; more frequent respiratory tract infections; and age-specific developmental factors(Kane, 1976). A child’s lungs are most susceptible to air pollution. The lungs of children contain more than 40 different kinds of cells.

If the cells are damaged by air pollution, then the lungs may not achieve its full growth and function as a child matures to adulthood. Children’s exposure to air pollution is a special concern because their immune system and lungs are not fully developed when exposure begins, raising the possibility of different responses than seen in adults. In addition, children spend more time outside, where the concentrations of pollution from traffic, power plants, and other combustion sources are generally higher(Schwartz, 2004).There is a large body of literature associating short-term changes in air pollution with short-term changes in pulmonary health of children, often focused on individuals with asthma. Other evidence points to a role for pollution in increasing lung inflammation in children, particularly those with asthma(Schwartz, 2004). We must take appropriate action to help prevent children being exposed to air pollution.

Children are at greater health risk of having effects from air pollution due to their development.Children take in more air per unit body weight at a given level of exertion than do adults. A child’s body responds differently to air pollution as it goes into their body. Children spend a lot of time outdoors running around, playing, and inhaling air pollution. There are many ways we can take personal action to help eliminate children being exposed to air pollution on a daily basis.

As it is important for children to have that exposure to outdoor activities, we must limit the exposure due to air pollution.Parents, teachers, and the community must watch for air quality advisories to limit the time of play. The airborne pollutant levels must be lower in order for children to spend a large amount of time outdoors. Adults must look for warning signs each day with children. If an adult knows a child has health concerns, it helps to recognize what triggers each attack to avoid possible situations As adults sit and wait on their child to come out of school, turn the car off instead of leaving it on to idle.

Adults can model and encourage children to participate in activities that reduce air pollution. Walk, bike, and car pool to help reduce regional air pollution. Ethical decision making provides the guiding requirements or goals for right conduct in making decisions in a group context. In its continuing effort to improve air quality, EPA has established a final rule that will reduce toxic air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, benzene and acrolein, from stationary diesel engines.EPA reports that the emission limits apply to existing diesel engines meeting certain qualifications for age, size and use(Rules & Regs, 2010). EPA estimates that by the time the rule is fully implemented in 2013, annual air toxic emission will be reduced by 1,000 tons, particle pollution will be reduced by 2,800 tons, carbon monoxide emissions will be reduced by 14,000 tons and organic compound emissions will be reduced by 27,999 tons(Rules & Regs, 2010).

In conclusion, air pollution can damage a child’s lungs for life.Air pollution is the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more contaminants such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke, or vapor in quantities and of characteristics and duration such as to be injurious to human, plant, animal life, or to property. The presence of pollutants in the outdoor air contributes to numerous health effects ranging fro m irritation and odor to acute and long term lung impairments, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular problems(Suwanwaiphatthana, 2010).Children, especially those under 8 years of age, are at greater risk fro m outdoor air pollution due to lung development and function(Suwanwaiphatthana, 2010). Every time children inhale, it carries dangerous air pollutants into their bodies. Air pollution for young children has increased over the past several years.

We must examine the practical obligations, the need for appropriate action, and decision making process to air pollution.