Abstract:
Despite the fact that breathing clean air is a basic human right, air pollution (defined as “contamination of the indoor or outdoor atmosphere by harmful substances”) has become a major global threat to human health and well-being.
Poor air quality has impact on respiratory disorders (“conditions that affect the airways, lungs, and the respiratory system, disrupting normal breathing”) among infants and new-born babies (of up to 1 year of age). One of the hazardous effects of air pollution is diseases of various types, including respiratory illness. The author of this abstract argues that air pollution impairs, to a considerable extent, respiratory health among infants and children. The resulting outcomes are:
Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI); Bronchitis [inflammation of airways, causing them to swell and produce excess mucus (a sticky substance that is produced in the nose), which leads to coughing, wheezing (whistling sound produced during breathing due to narrowed or inflamed airways), and breathing difficulties)]; and Reduced lung function development.
Prime objective of this research work is to present scientific discussion on effects of air pollution on respiratory disorders (illness) among infants. Secondary data (collected from books, book chapters, journal articles, etc.), largely ‘qualitative’ in nature, have been used. In terms of research methodology, method of data analysis is ‘descriptive’. In addition, this work also benefitted from author’s interactions with health providers during international conferences (held in USA, Ireland, Vietnam, Sweden, etc.).
Analysis of data indicates that pollutants (especially in cities and towns in countries with large population base) trigger inflammatory responses in the airways, predisposing infants to pneumonia (common respiratory infection that causes inflammation in one or both lungs) and acute bronchiolitis. Air pollution poses a major threat to respiratory health of not only infants, but also among men and among of all age groups, across the regions of the globe. However, infants are more vulnerable to air pollution due to their (a) developing immune/respiratory systems, and (b) underdeveloped lungs. Exposure to pollutants, resulting from human-induced activities, during infancy is directly related to higher rates of breathing difficulties. Infants exposed to poor air quality are often confronted with wheezing, asthma, chronic cough, and severe respiratory distress, especially increased hospitalizations for bronchitis.
In terms of air pollutants, it is pertinent to note that “indoor air pollution” originate from cooking and heating devices, tobacco smoking, plastic and wood particles, etc. “Outdoor air pollution”, on the other hand, derives mostly from vehicular traffic, industrial waste, wild fire events, and dust storms. Also, with poor ventilation in the household, air quality is unsatisfactory. With regard to extent of impact, the health risks varies in different geographical regions, depending on source of air pollution, and duration of exposures.
This research work briefly concludes that poor air quality is a global issue which threatens the respiratory health of infants globally. Exposure to pollution substances and environmental hazards are risks of respiratory diseases. There is, thus, need for prompt intervention for improving air quality to decrease the incidence of respiratory diseases among infants.
Keywords: Air Pollution, Infants, Respiratory Disorders, Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALRI), Bronchitis, Chronic Coughing, Pneumonia, and Lung Function
