GRAP 4 in Delhi: in Delhi on Monday air pollution levels reached the ‘significant plus’ category. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 481, considered the worst of the season.

Meanwhile, India The Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert due to heavy fog in the city. Flight and train operations were disrupted, leading to delays as the national capital was shrouded in dense fog and visibility was severely reduced. Meanwhile, doctors and health Experts express concern about the long-term effects of air pollution, especially on children, pregnant women and the elderly.

How does air pollution affect children?

Head of Intensive Care and Chest Diseases, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. Kuldeep Kumar Grover revealed that children exposed to air pollution are more likely to suffer from asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

“Air pollution can also cause breathing problems in children with asthma. Children exposed to air pollution are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases later in life life. Long-term exposure to air pollution can permanently damage the lungs and increase the risk of lung cancer. Air pollution is linked to 34% of premature births, which can lead to lifelong health problems,” said Dr. Grover. Financial Express.com.

It also revealed that air pollution is associated with middle ear infections in children.

“Exposure to traffic-related air pollution is linked to an increased risk of childhood leukemia. Pollution can contribute to stunted growth and can also contribute to malnutrition,” he explained.

What are the symptoms of long-term exposure to air pollution in India?

According to UNICEF, some symptoms that can be caused by exposure to air pollution include:

• Dry/irritated eyes, headache, fatigue, allergies or shortness of breath. Watch for signs of effort when breathing in babies.
• People with asthma may experience more severe asthma attacks, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, or wheezing.

How do you protect your children from long-term exposure to air pollution?

Here are some important steps you can take:

• Monitor air quality information where you live daily
• Try to reduce the time spent in areas with high pollution
• When air pollution is particularly bad, it is best for children to avoid strenuous activities.
• Try to keep your child indoors when outdoor air pollution is excessive.
• If possible, consider installing air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that are effective against indoor air pollution.