Effects on the brain Millions of babies suffer from massive air pollution

17 million babies worldwide are breathing extremely dirty air

According to a report by the UN Children's Fund UNICEF, around 17 million babies live in areas of massive air pollution worldwide. The inhaled pollutants not only damage the lungs of children, but also have negative effects on the brain.

High air pollution especially in parts of Asia

Worldwide, nearly 17 million babies under the age of one live in regions where air pollution is at least six times higher than internationally established standards. This emerges from the new report "Danger in the air: How air pollution can affect brain development in young children" of the UN Children's Fund UNICEF. More than three quarters of these small children - 12.2 million - live in South Asia and 4.3 million in East Asia and the Pacific.

Almost 17 million babies under the age of one live in regions with massive air pollution worldwide. The inhaled particulate matter not only damages the lungs, but also the brains of small children. (Image: Ralf Geithe / fotolia.com)

Particulate pollution endangers the health

Air pollution is generally associated with a high health risk.

It is known that the inhaled tiny dust particles damage the lungs and significantly increase the risk of cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

For example, various studies have shown that high levels of particulate matter significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes.

As the UNICEF report has shown, inhaled particulate matter in babies can also damage brain tissue and affect cognitive development.

Long-term damage

"These contaminants not only endanger the development of the babies' lungs, they can also cause long-term damage to their brains - and their future," UNICEF Director Anthony Lake said in a statement.

As the experts write, the "ultrafine particulate matter particles are so small that they can enter the bloodstream, migrate to the brain and damage the blood-brain barrier, which can lead to inflammation."

Some particles also enter the body via the intestine and cause neurodegenerative diseases.

And other types, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can damage areas in the brain that are important for the communication of neurons, the basis for learning and developing children, according to UNICEF. "

Brain of a young child is particularly at risk

"The brain of a young child is particularly at risk because it can be damaged by a lower dose of toxic chemicals compared to an adult's brain," the experts write.

And: "Children are also very susceptible to air pollution because they breathe faster and because their physical defenses and immune systems are not fully developed."

Above all, UNICEF called on the hardest hit countries to take more action against air pollution.

"No child should breathe dangerous polluted air - and no society can afford to ignore air pollution," Lake says. (Ad)