Traffic pollution- a terrible addition to the pollution chapter in city life can quickly ruin a healthy person physically and mentally.
Also, traffic pollution is dangerous for your kids because of their incomplete body structure.
Kids don’t have a solid neural system, proper metabolism, or a sensitive respiratory system. Any change in their body function for greenhouse gas hampers their growth acutely.
Green Vehicle Guide says that: significant traffic pollution is done by motor vehicle exhausts. That’s why living near a traffic pollution area isn’t a wise choice.
Risks Of Traffic Pollution To Your Child’s Health
Traffic pollution hampers your child’s health from the root. It directly impacts a child’s physical and mental health, creating many growth problems. Here you know a few risks of traffic pollution to your child’s health.
Affects the child’s lungs
Traffic pollution serves many harmful particles in children’s lungs from vehicle emissions. Released nitrogen oxide and carbon-related glasses directly impact human lungs.
The ultimate result can be lung cancer. Children who face this consequence from a very early age will grow up with poor lung structure.
The most common lung problems due to traffic pollution are:
- Misbehave in lung working function
- Developing asthma during childhood
- Asthma patients may face worse condition
- Wheezing
- Coughs
- Lung cancer growth
- Infections in the lungs i.e, pneumonia
Impacts kid’s brain
It’s tested that traffic pollution reduces the thickness of the cortex in children’s brains. Also, decreased gray matter volume is observed, according to the Reuters article.
Another study from ScienceDirect reported that traffic pollution serves a high amount of PM 2. 5 particles. This particle results in brain damage and cognitive and emotional problems later in adolescence.
Hinders Neurodevelopment
Air pollution due to heavy traffic hinders neurodevelopment, resulting in behavioral disorders. Children who grow up with neurodevelopmental problems may have communication errors in the future.
Due to environmental stress like traffic pollution, early brain imbalance is observed. Genes become responsible for inflammation and immune responses improperly. As a result, the overall cell integrity and neural communication system become damaged.
Creates Respiratory Problems
Traffic pollution exposes greenhouse gas on a larger scale. A study by the United States Environmental Protection Agency said that 27% of greenhouse gas emission is done by traffic pollution.
Children who face severe greenhouse exposure suffer from serious diseases like chronic bronchitis.
Greenhouse exposure also affects the airways and other structures of the lungs.
Due to traffic pollution, shortness of breath, asthma, chest pain, and other issues for children. It also causes swelling of the sinuses, resulting in other respiratory diseases.
Allergy attack
Airborne allergens are the prime reason for allergy attacks for people of any age. Children are sensitive to allergens for various gaseous pollutants. The most widespread pollutants are NO2, NO, SO2, CO, and CO2.
These pollutants cause various allergic problems like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The EPA government says that: the estimated six million children in the United States with asthma are especially vulnerable to air pollution.
Grows Hearing Problem
Children who live near traffic pollution are at high risk of hearing problems. High sound pollution from these areas may cause sensorineural hearing loss.
The following problems can grow day by day in children due to traffic pollution:
- Damage inside the ear
- The gradual buildup of earwax
- Ear infection
- Abnormal tumors
- Inappropriate bone growth of ear
- Tympanic membrane perforation
How To Stay Safe Even When Living Near The Road
Living near the road is never a good option, especially when you have a child. But, if you’re helpless, you can take some steps to reduce the risk.
Use an air purifier
Air purifiers absorb pollutants effectively. Allergy-creating particles can easily get trapped by its filtering technology.
Air purifiers with activated carbon filters and HEPA filters can absorb most pollutants. As a result, your house remains safe, and babies can’t get affected badly.
Use noise-reducing drywall
Noise-reducing drywalls are suitable for canceling horrible noises from highways. Its gypsum-made solid core is effective against loud noises.
Keep babies in a calm room.
If you have budget issues, keeping babies in a quiet room is the best move. It’ll help save them from noise pollution and mental growth.
Keep The Doors And Windows Closed
Any pollutants or excessive sound can’t reach your child if you keep the doors and windows shut. Sunlight and air circulation are essential, but you must first protect your baby from pollution.
Conclusion
Now, you know traffic pollution is how much dangerous for your kids. It can trigger your baby’s allergy symptoms and affect lung and respiratory functions. Also, it can hinder other physical growth by creating diseases like cancer.
The solution is simple- leave that area as soon as possible. Living near an area with fresh air can significantly improve your baby’s body. If you don’t have any other choice, go for an air purifier and follow the tips above.