The Impact of Indoor Air Quality on Children's Development

There are certain groups of people who are more sensitive to air pollution than others. These individuals include the elderly, immunocompromised, those who already have respiratory issues, and kids. In this blog, let’s explore the impact of poor indoor air quality on children and what you can do to protect their health.

Learn about the top 10 indoor air pollutants.

Why Are Children More Sensitive to Air Pollution?

Put simply, younger bodies aren’t yet as prepared to deal with contaminants as older bodies are. 

Children are more at risk because their airways are still developing and are also on the smaller side. Plus, compared to adults, even when you account for their smaller body size, they breathe faster and take in more air.

Plus, think about what happens when a child encounters a bacterium or virus. Their bodies aren’t as strong as ours, or as well-equipped to fight off infections. This is one reason why they get sick much more frequently than adults do.

Not only are children more sensitive to contaminants in the air, but in some cases, they’re also exposed to more contaminants. At school, for instance, they’re in close proximity to other kids, and it’s easier for airborne particles to spread. Because they’re smaller, they’re closer to the ground, too, and that’s where some airborne pollutants can be found in higher concentrations.

How Does Poor Indoor Air Quality Impact Kids?

Children can pay the price for air pollution in more ways than one.

The risk that air pollution brings technically starts before birth. Pregnant women who are exposed to air pollution are at a greater risk of giving birth prematurely, especially if they’ve been exposed to sulfur dioxide and particulates. In fact, more than 3% of all  premature births in the United States have been linked to air pollution.

Pregnant women exposed to air contaminants are also at an increased risk of giving birth to babies with a low birth weight. Research has found that PM2.5, PM10, and NO2, in particular, are associated with lower birth weight. These results are more notable for mothers who experience higher perceived stress levels or who live in areas with higher stress due to environmental pollution.

Furthermore, air pollution can harm neurodevelopment and cognition, leading to lifelong developmental consequences. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption may all play a role, increasing the prevalence of conditions like ADHD and autism. 

It puts children at a higher risk of chronic illness, like cardiovascular disease, as well as respiratory issues, like asthma, impaired lung growth, and lower respiratory tract infections. Ear infections are another consequence, especially otitis media, which is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear. 

Pneumonia has also been linked to air pollution, and this respiratory infection can be deadly. Research tells us that PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 are significantly associated with hospitalization for both pneumonia and asthma in children under the age of five years.

This doesn’t cover it all, but it hopefully gives you an idea of just how problematic air pollution is for children, in particular. Their bodies aren’t yet equipped to deal with these contaminants, and they are sometimes in environments where air pollution is more concentrated than it might normally be.

So, how can you protect your child’s physical and cognitive health and development?

3 Steps to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution for Kids

The first step toward improving your indoor air quality is to audit potential sources of air pollution. Think of the following questions to get you started:

• Does anyone smoke inside your home?

• Do you do a lot of cooking that produces smoke? 

• Do you have pets that shed? 

• Do you live in close proximity to wildfires? 

• Do you live in close proximity to heavy traffic? 

• Do you live in close proximity to livestock?

 

It also helps to check the air quality in your area daily with a website like AirNow. Real-time insights will help you better prepare. For instance, if nearby wildfires mean that your local air quality is currently suffering, you may, as an example, decide not to leave the house that day, keep all the doors and windows closed, or wear a mask if you do venture outside. 

Knowledge is power. 

The second step is to keep to a cleaning schedule that caters to your area and lifestyle habits. For instance:

• If you have pets, de-shed them in a designated area and vacuum at least once a week. 

• Vacuum or wash furniture and drapes approximately once a month. Pollutants get trapped there, too.

• For extra humid locations, occasionally crack the windows and doors to allow for better air circulation.

• Mark on your calendar when it’s time to change your HVAC filters.

The third step is to fill in the gaps with technology—because even diligent cleaning won’t tackle the majority of the pollutants present in your home. A medical-grade HEPA 13 air purifier can capture particles big and small to leave you with cleaned, filtered air. 

The Latest in Air Purification Technology

The Sans air purifier is designed with multiple layers of filtration, including:

• A prefilter to capture larger particles, like hair and dust. 

• A medical-grade HEPA 13 filter, which captures 99.9% of particles as small as 0.1 micron in diameter.

• A full pound of activated carbon to absorb chemicals, odors, VOCs, and gases.

• CARB-certified UV-C light to protect against pathogens, without producing ozone.

For smaller living areas, like an apartment or individual rooms, consider the Sans mini.

While children are vulnerable to low-quality indoor air, there are actionable steps you can take to protect their health and general wellness. Learn more about Sans air technology.