Poor AQI Can Harm Your Child’s Learning And Memory: Study – News18

It is considered that children and the elderly are affected most by the negative impacts of air pollution. While it is known that poor air can affect respiratory function, leading to coughing and wheezing to serious ailments in the long run, many of us are unaware that pollution can also affect the cognitive development of children. According to a recent study conducted by the University of Southern California, children’s memory and cognitive abilities were found impacted by exposure to ammonium nitrate, a major contributor to Particulate Matter 2.5 pollution and a byproduct of agricultural emissions.

The study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, was conducted onnearly 8,600 children, aged 9-11 years, from across the US. The researchers used spatio-temporal models to analyse yearly levels of exposure to PM2.5 components. Megan Herting, the author of the study and a professor of population and public health sciences at USC, said, “The most robust finding was that ammonium nitrate particles were linked to poorer learning and memory. That suggests that overall PM2.5 is one thing, but for cognition, it’s a mixture effect of what you’re exposed to.”

PM 2.5, which is a mixture of dust, soot, organic compounds, and metals with a particle diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometres, is a major part of air pollution. It can enter the bloodstream and cross the extremely selective blood-brain barrier after traveling deep into the lungs, which can lead to major health issues.

According to earlier studies conducted by the National Institute of Health, ammonium nitrate increases the risk of age-related diseases including dementia and Alzheimer’s, which impair memory and cognition. This suggests that chronic exposure to PM2.5 can impact neurocognition throughout one’s life.

What can parents do to keep their children safe from air pollution?

1. Stay up to dateTrack your child’s outdoor activities after keeping up with local weather alerts and air quality information. Parents should talk to the child’s doctor about any health concerns regularly.
2. Check for symptomsChildren’s lungs can be adversely affected by exposure to poor air quality, which can lead to or worsen respiratory conditions including bronchitis and asthma. Signs of breathing difficulties, such as coughing and wheezing, are concerning indications. If these happen, parents should get in touch with their kid’s healthcare professional and try to get their child away from the cause of the bad air quality.
3. Prefer indoor activitiesLimit or stop outside activities on days with poor air quality. Instead, it is advised that parents promote fitness and indoor play. If kids are outside, make sure they aren’t engaged in physically exhausting activities, as that would need them to breathe quickly and deeply. To filter out harmful particles, one might also think about letting kids wear KN95 masks outside.
4. Maintain a clean environmentUse filters and air purifiers to minimise indoor pollution, and keep windows closed on days with poor air quality to keep smoke out of the house. Consider moving to a place with better air quality until the situation improves.
5. Educate your little oneEncourage your kids to learn the value of protecting the environment and the negative health effects of pollution. They can form lasting habits by taking easy steps like planting trees, using public transport, and supporting green activities.