Air Pollution and Respiratory Health of Children: Focus on India

Abstract

Ambient air pollution (AAP) and household air pollution (HAP), including second-hand smoke, have been associated with various health problems in humans, globally. The pollution has been estimated to result in 4.2 million deaths annually with corresponding economic losses. Among children, exposure to pollutants increases the risk for respiratory health problems, both acute, such as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), as well as chronic, such as asthma. CAP results in almost 14% of deaths in children under 5 years of age and HAP increases the odds of acquiring it two-folds. The odds of exacerbation and hospitalization for asthma increase with exposure to AAP in children. With some pollutants, a non-linear increase of morbidity due to asthma with exposure has been deducted. There is a dearth of studies on the health effects of AAP/HAP on children from India. The air quality index of most of the Indian cities and rural areas is higher than the recommended safe level of 50. Therefore, strict enforcement of policies to reduce AAP and HAP is needed urgently to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal, more so as pollution causes climate change and climate change and pollutants synergistically have adverse health effects.