How can we protect children’s health from air pollution?

This article was originally published as part of #CleanAirDay 2021. Find out more here: https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/

A six-year-old will breathe up to 34 times per minute. That makes 43,200 breaths in one day. Because they breathe more rapidly than adults, children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution as they absorb more pollutants. Clean air is essential for our health as well as being good for the planet. 2020 saw children bear the burden of the impact of COVID-19, disrupting their lives and development. As life starts to return to business as usual, we must ensure they go back to a healthy environment where they can learn and play safely.

Driving inequalities

Globally, 93% of the world’s children under 15 years of age are exposed to air pollution levels above World Health Organisation’s (WHO) air quality guidelines; children living in lower- and middle-income countries are at more risk of high exposure to pollutants; in the UK, the most deprived communities experience the worst air quality, further driving health inequalities. WHO estimates that in 2016, 600,000 children died from acute lower respiratory infections caused by polluted air. The WHO cite air pollution is one of the leading threats to child health, accounting for almost 1 in 10 deaths in children under five years of age.

Emissions are also a major contributor to climate change which will “profoundly affect” the life of every child born today.

The UK has one of the highest rates of asthma related deaths among 10- to 24- year olds in Europe. Air pollution affects neurodevelopment leading to lower cognitive test outcomes, it can stunt lung growth and function for children and younger people meaning irreversible damage that can lead to problems later in life such as heart and lung disease.

What is polluting air and causing such negative health effects?

Particulate matter are microscopic particles that cause damage to lung tissue and impair lung function. Breathing more quickly than adults, children inhale more of these harmful pollutants. Nitrogen oxide is an air pollutant that comes from the burning of fossil fuels, such as the petrol put in cars.

This was a concern raised by the recent coroner’s report on the death of Ella Adoo Kissi-Debrah, the first time air pollution was listed as a cause of death. In the three years prior to her death, aged nine, Ella was exposed to levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in excess of WHO guidelines. The principal source of her exposure was traffic emissions.

the effects of climate change “are especially detrimental to the health and wellbeing of children and young people.”

In addition to the direct effects on health, emissions are also a major contributor to climate change which, as the 2019 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change made clear, will “profoundly affect” the life of every child born today. As the coroner’s report notes, delay in reducing the levels of atmospheric pollution is the cause of avoidable deaths.

What can be done?

In October 2020, RCPCH declared a climate emergency. Joining a coalition of other organisations, the College recognises that the climate emergency poses an existential threat to population health in the UK and across the world. The declaration emphasises the effects of climate change “are especially detrimental to the health and wellbeing of children and young people.” RCPCH are continuing this work with the development of a new climate change working group, with over 80 members working with staff to play our part in combating climate change at sector, organisational, and personal levels, and deliver the College’s climate change strategy for the future benefit of children and young people.

But given the clear health implications of climate change, particularly the health of our children and young people, why is health not included as part of COP26 ambitions for climate action?

There are changes we can make ourselves to reduce climate change and help everyone breathe clean air: adopting electric vehicles, avoiding millions of car journeys, and stopping buying products that cause pollution in our homes. But bold action is also needed from the Government: expanding clean air zones in towns and cities and improving infrastructure to support active travel -travel by public transport and electric vehicles. The air quality standards set by the WHO should be established as legally binding targets and there needs to be a national strategy and set standards for indoor air quality. These changes for cleaner air need to be couched in ambitions to stop the effects of climate change, since air pollution and climate change are inextricably linked, with many of the factors contributing to air pollution also driving climate change.

The health implications of climate change for children and young people are clear, especially with regards air quality. The G7 meeting, hosted by the UK earlier this month led to ambitious promises to help the global action for the climate crisis. COP26, the 26th meeting of parties that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1994, is meeting in Glasgow later this year. The goals set for COP26 are as ambitious as that of the G7 promises. The meeting aims to secure global net zero emissions by 2050 and keep 1.5 degrees within reach, adapt to protect communities and natural habitats, and also create the finances to do so. But given the clear health implications of climate change, particularly the health of our children and young people, why is health not included as part of COP26 ambitions for climate action?

What do CYP think?

Children have been at the forefront of climate action. In 2019, its estimated over one million students skipped school in a protest to highlight the need for immediate action needed by governments. These students expressed anger, fear and disappointment that adults have not acted. “As a result of climate change there are excess amounts of CO2 and other waste products in the atmosphere; the quality of our air is declining and it makes young people scared for what the world will look like in the future,” says Noor, aged 14, “Although using cars on our trips to work and school everyday seem like the convenient option, it is slowly killing our earth in the long run. Air has never been this polluted and climate change is going to negatively impact the future generations massively.”

Upholding the rights of children and young people and listening to their collective voice is written in to our College Charter. We must hear their message loud and clear, and act.