Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is linked to increased risks of low birth weight and preterm births – Huma Arshad Cheema
Webinar on Effect of Smog
By Prof. Mulazim Hussain Bukhari
LAHORE: Eminent speakers from different disciplines on medicine highlighted the adverse effects of Smog on pulmonary system and development of children at an online Webinar recently organized in collaboration with PMA. Participating in the Webinar Prof. Masood Sadiq highlighted the effects of smog on special children. Children with underlying health conditions, such as congenital heart diseases, chronic respiratory issues, immunodeficiencies, chronic kidney disease, and cancer survivors, are particularly vulnerable to environmental challenges like pollution. In the context of children’s hospitals, it’s crucial to enhance health education and advocate for protective measures. Experts, he said, are actively disseminating information, and hospitals are working to improve their environments by acquiring air purifiers and expanding capacities.
Additionally, attention should be given to the impact of pollution on ocular health. Protective measures, such as wearing masks and possibly eyewear while outdoors, are recommended. Minimizing outdoor exposure and ensuring proper hydration can also help safeguard these vulnerable children. Immediate and targeted actions are essential to protect them in current challenging conditions.
Prof. Huma Arshad Cheema highlighted the effects of smog on the development of children. She defined smog as a combination of smoke and fog, primarily resulting from photochemical reactions involving pollutants. The primary sources contributing to smog include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and the burning of waste materials. Ground-level ozone (O3) is harmful at lower atmospheric levels and is a primary component of smog, leading to various adverse health effects. It forms due to the reaction of primary air pollutants under sunlight, particularly in urban areas. Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) can penetrate the lungs, originating from multiple sources, including burning and industrial emissions. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses serious health risks, especially to vulnerable populations. The Air Quality Index (AQI) serves as a measure of pollution levels, indicating potential health repercussions. Poor AQI levels are associated with conditions such as asthma, stunting, malnutrition, and neurodevelopmental disorders in children affected by these smog particles.
She emphasized that the first one thousand days for any child are very important for growth. Children are particularly vulnerable to pollutants due to their higher air intake relative to body weight. Their immature metabolic systems are less capable of responding to toxic exposures. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is linked to increased risks of low birth weight and preterm births. Maternal exposure to particulate matter negatively affects fetal growth and may lead to long-term health issues. Early life exposure to PM2.5 is correlated with cognitive impairments and heightened risks of neurodevelopmental disorders. Studies indicate that structural changes in the brain are associated with air pollution exposure during pregnancy. Overall, environmental factors, especially air pollution, significantly affect children’s health in Pakistan, particularly in contexts of poverty and malnutrition.
The increasing rates of air pollution present substantial physical and mental health challenges for children, highlighting the need for urgent government action.
Prof Iqbal Bano discussed the effects of smog on lungs, brain and development of the children. She said that smog significantly impacts children’s health, warranting urgent policy attention to address both disease treatment and long-term health. Historical references indicate that smog, particularly highlighted during the 1940s-52s in cities like Los Angeles and London, has been responsible for major health crises, leading to policy changes like the UK’s Clean Air Act. The World Health Organization notes that smog exposure can reduce life expectancy by up to a year for children. Different air particles, especially sulfur oxides from fossil fuel combustion, contribute to smog formation. Cities with high traffic congestion, like Lahore, experience elevated pollution levels, adversely affecting respiratory and neurological health.
Research shows that airborne particles from smog can penetrate deeply into the lungs and affect cognitive development, with children being particularly vulnerable due to their rapid growth and faster breathing rates. The dangers of smog extend to increased child mortality rates, with significant figures indicating that around 79,000 deaths in children under five can be attributed to poor air quality. Chronic exposure to air pollution increases the incidence of asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections, which further impacts school attendance and overall child development. She opined that to combat the effects of smog, actionable solutions such as raising awareness, implementing environmental controls, promoting green initiatives and electric vehicles, and improving air quality through air purifiers are essential. Protecting children’s health by limiting outdoor activities during high smog conditions is also vital. Overall, smog poses serious risks to children’s respiratory health, cognitive development, and quality of life, necessitating collaborative efforts for better air quality management and health education.
Prof Naeem Zafar described that one important factor not discussed is the lack of learning opportunities to learn about the nature, ethics and attitudes which is causing triple burden. The discussion revolves around the interconnectedness of nutrition, infections, diseases, and developmental delays in children due to a lack of learning opportunities. He highlighted the importance of initiatives led by the Pakistan Paediatric Association and appreciated the role of children’s hospitals in addressing these issues.
Prof Junaid Rasheed stressed the significance of breastfeeding and the protective measures required to support child health, such as maintaining proper fluid intake and avoiding the using antihistamines during this smog weather to keep nose atmosphere humid. Prof Ashraf Nizami focused on advocating for awareness and health policies that mitigate the impact of environmental factors, such as vehicle emissions, on children’s health. Prof Qaiser Sajjad highlighted the importance of smog for causing the lung cancer, as a long-term hazards of environmental pollution.
The speakers and participant’s raised the concerns about the long-term effects of these issues, particularly the risk of addiction in vulnerable children. The importance of collaboration among healthcare professionals and policymakers was emphasized, with a call to implement proactive strategies, such as promoting electric vehicles and enhancing public health policies.
Prof. Mulazim Hussain Bukhari was the moderator and Prof. Salma Aslam Kundi was the host. In his opening remarks Prof. Bukhari said that there are record air pollution levels in Pakistan, with cities like Lahore and Multan recently recording air pollution levels exceeding WHO guidelines by more than hundred times. Air pollution previously accounted for approximately 12% of child deaths under five in Pakistan.
