Ways to protect your kids from pollution

Dangers further increase when you live in a city like Delhi which has recently been given the dubious tag of one of the most polluted cities in the world. There is a huge toll of diseases which the residents have to pay by their regressing health. Children are more prone to air borne diseases and thus tend to have severe health implications than adults because their organs are underdeveloped and weak.

Talking about the concern, Dr Rajesh Chawla, Apollo Hospitals said, "There are many common diseases like recurrent nasal discharge and cough which young school going children are seen to be suffering from.

This can often lead to the development of bronchial asthma in the later part of their lives. This also results in gradual loss of concentration and hampers their physical and mental growth." "Nevertheless, they can fall in the trap of a variety of severe chronic diseases because of the summer heat coupled with the adverse effects of air pollution," he added.

Dr. Nitin Verma, a senior pediatrician at Max Hospital said that the affects of air pollution can also be seasonal. "There are high chances of small children being infected by the viruses of conjunctivitis or typhoid. While in the winters, children can probably have serious breathing problems coupled with cold and cough. Other than this, it also affects their overall growth rate. There has been a 40-45% increase in the number of patients carrying restrictive airway diseases in the past 4 to 5 years."

So what are the ways you can guard your children: - Avoid getting caught in long traffic jams and if you do, keep your window panes closed.
- Use handkerchiefs and glasses to protect their face and eyes.
- Make sure they take a bath or rinse their mouth and change their clothes after returning back from outside.
- Apart from this, children should avoid playing in areas that are more exposed to smoke emissions.
- Avoid walking on busy roads and inhabiting in densely populated and shabby colonies. They can use masks for protecting themselves from diseases and can also make the use of air purifiers and filters for avoiding indoor pollution.
- Take your kids to greener areas for fresh air, preferably early in the morning.
- Make your kids practice breathing exercises. They will be doubly beneficial if practiced in a cleaner greener place. If not, practice indoors. -Mehak Dutta