Saed News: Usually, on days when the air is polluted, it is advised for patients, the elderly, and children to stay indoors to avoid inhaling fewer pollutants. Schools are also closed or held remotely for the same reason.
According to Saed News, quoting from Zoomit, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has turned the air quality of the capital and several other cities red. Due to the negative effects of pollution on the health of sensitive and vulnerable groups like patients, the elderly, and children, restrictions are imposed on them. Typically, on polluted days, it is advised for these specific groups to stay indoors to avoid inhaling pollutants. Schools are also closed or held remotely for this reason, as children are one of the most vulnerable groups exposed to air pollution. According to the World Health Organization's 2021 statistics, air pollution was the second leading cause of death for children under five, after malnutrition.
Since the beginning of this week, the increasing intensity of air pollution has led to online classes in several cities. Today, Tuesday, December 20th, classes in dozens of cities have been canceled or moved online. In 17 cities in Khuzestan Province, 12 cities in Isfahan, and 5 cities in East Azerbaijan, schools have closed. Students in Tehran, Urmia, Arak, Qazvin, Alborz, and Abik are also required to stay home. Some students are attending online classes, while others have schools closed.
Alireza Raeisi, Deputy Minister of Health, reported the annual death toll of 30,000 to 35,000 people in the country due to air pollution. He also mentioned that the financial damage caused by air pollution in 2024 is around 12 billion dollars, which places heavy pressure on the economy.
When the AQI in the capital reaches 161 (as of December 20), it indicates an air quality condition harmful to everyone, but children are particularly affected and should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. Other individuals should also reduce their heavy outdoor activities.
Air pollution was the second leading cause of death for children under five in 2021.
Reports from the World Health Organization on child mortality in 2021 show that 709,000 children under five died that year due to air pollution. Household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels accounted for more than 70% of these deaths. In addition to children, women, due to their proximity to cooking areas, are more exposed to this type of pollution.
In addition to household air pollution, another significant source of air pollution directly affecting children's health is traffic, burning fossil fuels, burning waste, wildfires, dust storms, and industrial activities, all contributing to making the air unhealthy. The bigger problem is that in recent years, with intensified climate change, air pollution has also worsened.
With ongoing climate change, the intensification of pollution continues to threaten us all, especially children. This group, due to being in a growth phase, breathes more quickly, spends more time outdoors in nurseries and schools, and thus faces serious health risks from exposure to air pollution.
While discussing the effects of air pollution, it is often related to its impact on lung function. However, for children, beyond respiratory problems, there are potential issues like damage to brain development. The more children are exposed to air pollutants, the higher their risk of developing diseases like cancer, heart issues, respiratory diseases such as asthma and shortness of breath. These effects can lead to illness during childhood and could also be a precursor to future diseases in adulthood.
Air pollution also affects children's IQ, causing anemia and vitamin D deficiencies. It impairs the development of their immune system, making them more susceptible to illnesses.
The presence of heavy metals such as lead in polluted air means that when temperature inversions occur, these metals can settle at lower levels, and since children are shorter, they are more exposed to these harmful particles.
For these reasons, the World Health Organization has stated that air pollution is much more dangerous for children than many viral and infectious diseases, and the younger the child, the more serious the threat.
Before being directly exposed to air pollution, even fetuses are affected. Due to the exposure of their mothers to polluted air, fetuses may be born with lower birth weights or prematurely. Breathing polluted air during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirths or giving birth to babies who are smaller than expected for their gestational age.
Additionally, pollutants from burning fossil fuels enter the mother's bloodstream through the respiratory system and can reach the brain or placenta, exposing the fetus to harmful chemicals.
The cumulative effects of air pollution can endanger children's health both in their early years and in adulthood. Therefore, it is expected that effective, long-term strategies be implemented to reduce air pollution, preventing harm to children and reducing the psychological and financial burdens on their families.
