Are indoor pollutants also affecting children’s lungs? Hidden risks inside our homes and schools

Fumes from transportation, construction dust, and smog over our cities can enter people's lungs, but indoor air pollution can also put children's respiratory health at risk. Many other pollutants can affect the lungs, especially with long-term exposure. Among them are cooking fumes, tobacco smoke, dust, mould, and vaporised chemicals from household products.

Children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing, they breathe at a faster rate than adults relative to the size of their bodies, and they may spend several hours per day indoors. What is most important is that the effects of indoor air pollution may not always become visible results; some may be long-standing.

What are the common sources of indoor air pollution?

Indoor air pollution can come from several everyday sources that may go unnoticed.

1. Smoke and cooking fumes: The process of cooking using solid materials like biomass, coal, and wood can result in the emission of ultra-fine particles and other dangerous emissions. Even the use of a cleaner energy source in cooking can create problems due to inefficient ventilation or as a result of heat-related cooking activities.
2. Dust and fine particulate matter: Dust comes from open windows, pollution brought into the room from outside, or created through cleaning. Ultra-fine particles reach deep inside the lungs and can cause irritation.
3. Tobacco smoke: Indoor smoking also brings second-hand smoke to children and puts them at risk of inhaling toxic chemicals and ultra-fine particles.
4. Moulds and moisture: When there is moisture in the walls or accidents involving water pipes, and bathrooms are poorly ventilated, mould may flourish. Inhaling mould and other allergens may cause coughing, wheezing, and allergic reactions, especially among children suffering from asthma and allergies.
5. Cleaning products at home: Certain kinds of cleaning agents, air fresheners, and aerosol sprays release organic compounds (VOCs). Depending on the type of compound and the levels of exposure, these substances can irritate the eyes and airways and contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Why are children more vulnerable?

As their respiratory systems are developing, children are vulnerable to many environmental influences. Children experience higher breathing rates because they inhale more air in relation to their body weight.

Furthermore, children usually play on the floor level, where dust and some allergens are located. In addition, children’s immature immune system may interact differently with indoor irritants. Regular exposure to indoor pollutants is linked to respiratory infections, worsened asthma symptoms, and lung development problems. Children with asthma or other respiratory conditions might be particularly sensitive to changes in air quality at home.

Can indoor pollution affect children without obvious symptoms?

Indeed. The fact that there are no symptoms of cough, wheeze, or shortness of breath does not imply that the indoor air quality is acceptable. Some kids can suffer from irritation or respiratory ailments without noticeable symptoms while others can develop symptoms only after prolonged exposure, which is the reason why parents and teachers should look for persistent cough, regular sneezing, nasal obstruction, nighttime cough, wheezing or shortness of breath during exercising.

How can homes and schools reduce indoor air pollution?

Reducing indoor pollution begins with identifying and controlling its sources.

• Improve ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation while considering outdoor air quality. When outdoor pollution is high, opening windows may not always be beneficial.
• Keep indoor spaces smoke-free: Never smoke inside homes, classrooms or vehicles used by children.
• Control dampness and mould: Repair leaks promptly, address damp areas and maintain suitable ventilation.
• Choose household products carefully: Use cleaning products as directed, avoid unnecessary aerosol sprays and ensure adequate ventilation during cleaning.
• Reduce dust accumulation: Clean surfaces regularly using methods that minimise dust becoming airborne.
• Maintain clean school environments: Ensure classrooms have adequate ventilation and address dampness, dust and pollution sources.
• Use air purifiers appropriately: A correctly sized HEPA air purifier can help reduce airborne particles, although it does not remove every pollutant or replace source control and ventilation.

To protect children’s lungs, we need to think about air quality not just outdoors but indoors as well. Indoor air will influence respiratory health in children, so ensuring cleaner air in homes and schools is crucial. Eliminating every pollutant may be unrealistic, but by recognising sources of pollution, improving ventilation, and reducing exposure, we can still make an impact. In short, this means that we should pay attention not only to the quality of the air outdoors but indoors too.

The author is a pediatric pulmonologist and allergy and sleep specialist at  Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi. 

 

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.