That's why babies in the stroller are much more exposed to air pollution

How does air pollution affect infants in strollers??

Global pollution is a major threat to the health of many people. Researchers found that preschool babies and toddlers are about 60 percent more polluted than adults.

Researchers at the University of Surrey found in their study that babies in strollers suffer much more from environmental pollution than adults. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal Environment Environment.

Infants and babies in strollers are exposed to much higher levels of environmental pollution. Could baby stroller covers protect babies? (Image: Christian Müller / fotolia.com)

Why are infants so affected by pollution??

Infants in a stroller are much more exposed to polluted air because they are closer to the ground in the stroller and therefore more directly exposed to the exhaust gases of exhaust pipes, the experts say. The babies are also more threatened by the health hazards of the dirty air, since their bodies are still small and in development.

How can the load be reduced?

Parents should avoid busy roads and also use stroller covers to reduce pollution, the authors suggest. Baby's breathing height is between 0.55 m and 0.85 m above the floor in the stroller. Since pollutant levels are up to one meter high, infants in strollers are 60 percent more exposed to particulate matter than adults, the researchers explain.

Babies should not be exposed to hazardous concentrations of pollutants

Air pollution on the road contains high levels of toxic metals that can affect the development of the brain in infants, the researchers say. Considering how vulnerable infants are at this early stage of life because of their tissue, immune system and brain development, study author Professor Prashant Kumar of the University of Surrey explains that it is extremely worrying for babies and infants to be exposed to these hazardous levels.

Environment influences the load

The amount of pollutants ingested by babies can be lower in areas with less traffic and the environment also affects the burden, the researchers explain. For example, if hedges are located next to the road, the pollution is distributed differently than without such hedges, the study authors continue.

Emissions must be lowered

However, the study did not investigate whether some strollers protect better or worse from environmental pollution than others. More needs to be done to reduce air pollution or reduce its impact, the researchers demand. For example, emissions from road vehicles could be reduced and the use of public transport increased.

Alternatives to cars should be encouraged

Given the plethora of evidence presented in the study, it is important that all people embark on a full and honest discussion about environmental pollution and the negative impact on babies and infants, from parents and local politicians to government and industry Professor Kumar. To protect the health of children, for example, alternatives to cars fueled by gasoline and diesel should also be promoted. (As)