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Baby stroller covers protect small children from air pollution
Global air pollution threatens human health. Especially small children and infants are particularly affected by the negative effects. Researchers now suggested that parents should use covers on their stroller to protect their offspring from air pollution.
Researchers at the University of Surrey found in an investigation that the use of covers on pushchairs can help protect our toddlers from the harmful effects of air pollution. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Environmental Pollution".
How do we best protect our children from the harmful effects of air pollution, and at what age are children particularly affected? Researchers now tried to find answers to exactly these questions. (Image: Stanislav Komogorov / fotolia.com) Infants in strollers are particularly vulnerable
For their current study, the experts examined the levels of pollution within strollers. So they wanted to try to judge how strongly just small children are affected by the occurring air pollution. The results showed that babies or small children in the pram in the morning were more exposed to air pollution on the way to school than their walking siblings, the experts explain.
Reasons for the increased risk of air pollution in small children?
Because of their immature and evolving systems and lower body weight, young children are far more susceptible to the dangers of air pollution than, say, adults. Prashant Kumar from the University of Surrey
The way to school carries risks for the children's health
The findings of the study should help families gain better insight into any adverse footpaths to the school or kindergarten, the researchers explain. For our offspring this way is particularly risky, because the children can breathe dangerous and especially harmful substances.
Create a barrier between child and exhaust emissions
What can parents do about their children being exposed to air pollution? One of the easiest ways to protect children is to use a barrier between children and exhaust emissions, say the doctors. For example, parents can easily use the stroller covers.
Especially at road junctions, the air pollution is particularly strong
This form of protection should be applied above all to so-called hotspots of air pollution. Such hotspots include, for example, intersections. If possible, parents should use covers on their pushchairs at precisely those areas that are particularly polluted, because this is where the danger is especially great. Kumar.
In the morning, the air pollution is particularly strong
For their investigation, the scientists placed detectors in prams. A total of 64 school trips were analyzed by using the detectors. The timing of the measurements were typical pick-up or pick-up times in schools and kindergartens, the researchers explain. The data showed that the levels of pollution were particularly high in the rush hour in the morning.
Precautions should reduce the exposure occurring along busy roads
Particulate matter causes greater health effects in children at a young age compared to older children. Young children are more prone to airborne particulate matter, explain the researchers. This effect makes it clear that there is a need for precautionary measures to limit exposure during carriage in prams along busy streets.
570,000 children under five die each year from the effects of air pollution
According to a recent World Health Organization report, around 570,000 children under the age of five die each year from diseases that appear to be associated with air pollution.
Bus stops and traffic lights are also very heavily polluted
The scientists warned that points such as bus stops and traffic lights are particularly affected by air pollution. The tiny particles of exhaust fumes and tires can quickly enter the bloodstream. In the UK alone, contamination by such particles causes an estimated 29,000 premature adult deaths per year, the experts explain. (As)