New research has found that Europe is failing its children when it comes to air pollution, exposing nearly all children across the continent to air that falls below healthy standards and delaying the clean-up of the sources of pollution.
According to the latest assessment of air pollution by the European Environment Agency, breathing dirty air causes the premature death of at least 1,200 children across Europe each year and many thousands more are afflicted with physical and mental health problems that could have lifelong impacts.
In his reaction, Gerardo Sanchez Martinez, an expert in environment and health at the EEA, said: “You can’t think about children as little adults when it comes to air pollution. They receive more pollution, and it starts in the womb and continues in kindergarten and onwards. We are failing our children on air pollution.”
Children are also said to be particularly susceptible to dirty air, as pollutants can have an impact on their development that is permanent. The impacts begin before birth, with studies linking pollution to low birth weight and premature birth.
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Among other things, exposure to high levels of pollutants in childhood has been shown to inhibit lung capacity, cause asthma, lead to higher levels of respiratory disease and ear infections, and increase the risk of allergies – and they may also affect brain development.
According to the study published on Monday by the EEA, children are more exposed to filthy air than adults because they have a faster breathing rate, are closer to the ground and are outdoors more even as about 110,000 disability-adjusted life years are lost across Europe each year in people under the age of 18.
Hans Bruyninckx, executive director of the EEA, urged countries to do more.
“Air pollution levels across Europe are still unsafe and European air quality policies should aim to protect all citizens, but especially our children, who are most vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution,” he said.
Speaking further, he said “It is urgent that we continue to step up measures at the EU, at the national and local level, to protect our children, who cannot protect themselves. The surest way to keep them safe is by making the air we all breathe cleaner.”
tHE EEA research showed that reducing the sources of air pollution – including road traffic, coal and solid fuel burning, and industrial emissions, is key – but action should also be taken to reduce the specific risks to children.
These could include putting clean air zones around schools, where traffic would be restrained and idling engines prohibited. Local authorities and schools have also been advised to look at planting trees, ivy screens and hedge fences around playgrounds.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
