Pollution: how to protect children?

Pollution: how to protect children?

Every day, an adult inhales 10 to 000 liters of air depending on his morphology, his activities … In addition to the dioxygen (O20) and dinitrogen (N000) gases, which represent on average 2% of its composition, this air can also contain pollutants of natural origin or produced by human activities (anthropogenic). With regard to the latter, several sources contribute to this pollution: energy production, industry, agriculture and road transport.

Fine particles, what are they?

The air contains a lot of “dust” or particles in suspension. Their size depends on their dangerousness: the smaller the particles, the less they are stopped by the nose barrier. They then risk penetrating more or less deeply into the body where they can cause damage. These microparticles, responsible for a large part of atmospheric pollution, are known to the general public as “fine particles” or “PM2.5”, less than or equal to 2,5 μm. Several times a year, the fine particle pollution alert threshold is crossed in France. It corresponds to a level of concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere above which short-term exposure presents a risk to the health of the entire population, justifying the intervention of emergency measures.

Pollution: children on the front line

Air pollution has consequences for the health of the population, especially in urban areas. In the long term, fine particles (PM2.5) are associated with a increased respiratory symptoms (cough, nasal hypersecretion, chronic sputum, shortness of breath), chronic obstructive respiratory disease and reduced respiratory capacity in children. The effects of air pollution are not limited to respiratory pathologies. Exposure to pollutants also increases cardiovascular pathologies (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris or heart rhythm disturbances) and lung cancer in adults. According to the AirParif organization, which measures pollution in Ile-de-France, the effects of particulate pollution are of the same order as those due to passive smoking.

Atmospheric pollution concerns everyone but children are more sensitive to it and therefore suffer more during pollution peaks. From pregnancy, exposure to pollution has an impact on the development of the fetus. Several studies have shown a delay in the development of the pulmonary functions of babies which can increase premature births, low birth weights, and even an increase in cases of sudden infant death syndrome. Exposure to pollution before and after birth also has effects on the child’s cognitive function: attention deficit, behavioral disorders, etc.

What precautions to take?

It will be understood that children, whose lungs are still forming, and pregnant women, who transmit part of the pollutants inhaled to their children, are more vulnerable to atmospheric pollution. It is therefore urgent to protect them. On a daily basis, a few simple actions can help you limit the risks.

Do not let your children play near the main roads. As far as possible, instead, take them to parks or places away from traffic. In streets with heavy traffic, avoid leaving babies in their strollers near the exhaust pipes. During pollution peaks, limit sustained physical exertion in the open air (endurance sports activities, for example). During high peaks (alert procedure), limit your toddlers’ outings during the hottest hours of the day. Note: the car is the mode of transport in which we are most exposed to atmospheric pollution, especially during rush hour. If you have to take your kids somewhere, prefer public transport. Walking is the mode of travel with the least exposure to air pollution, followed by cycling and public transport. If you have symptoms or are concerned, seek advice from your pediatrician or pharmacist. For more information, you can consult the and the “Daily Air Quality Bulletin” for the region in which you are located. It also recalls the health recommendations on its site.