As we all know that the air we are breathing is extremely toxic for our health but ever wondered how much this air affects kid’s health? You can’t imagine how dangerous this air quality is for them. Lots of parents don’t realise the link between them. The air quality always gets ignored by parents when talking about healthy food, sleep and so on.  

Recently, research was conducted, and interesting results revealed that there is an alarming association between air pollutants and high blood pressure among children, an issue that, although less documented, poses significant threats to their health. Studies which are published in the Environmental Research journal, have found that tiny particles in the air called PM2.5 can increase systolic and diastolic blood pressures in children aged 5-12 years.

In contrast to the larger particles, the smaller particles known as PM2.5 are capable of deep penetration within the lungs as well as entering the bloodstream. Consequently, PM2.5 can even impact the cardiovascular system at a tender age. It should be noted that the airways as well as organs are under development within children aged less than ten years. Therefore, children are highly susceptible to invisible air pollutants.

However, other research studies have also indicated such links between air pollution levels and elevated blood pressure in young people. For instance, previous cohort studies in Boston have shown increased systolic blood pressure in young people as well as in newborn babies in relation to greater exposure to PM2.5 air pollutants, while other studies in China have indicated such links between home or school exposure to air pollutants in relation to elevated systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure.

Doctors highlight the importance of understanding the results. Paediatricians explain that if the areas where they live are badly affected by pollution then measuring the blood pressure of children should be done as a routine element of health testing for problems associated with high blood pressure to be identified and treated in time. They should limit outdoor activity during high air pollution days and second-hand smoke should be minimized.

The results of the study illustrate the importance of air quality as a factor not just for respiratory conditions but also for the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases in children. However, as the importance of the effect of particulate air pollution on children's health becomes more well-known, the focus is on working towards improving air quality.