Experts warn of health risks to children as air quality turns unhealthy

Prolonged exposure to polluted air has been linked to impaired lung and brain development, asthma, respiratory illnesses and increased childhood mortality 

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

With air pollution levels in Colombo rising to unhealthy levels, health experts are raising alarm over the potential impact on public health, particularly on children.   

Poor air quality was recorded in the heart of Colombo yesterday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 144—levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups and a warning sign for the general public, health experts said.   

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena warned that children are among the most vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.   

According to the health expert, prolonged exposure to polluted air has been linked to impaired lung and brain development, asthma, respiratory illnesses and increased childhood mortality.   

Dr Wijayawardena advised the public especially children, pregnant women and those suffering from asthma or heart disease to limit outdoor activities when pollution levels are high.   

“People should stay updated on daily air quality levels through mobile air-quality monitoring apps and reduce exposure during periods when the AQI is high,” Dr Wijayawardena added. Globally, an estimated 600,000 children under the age of five die each year due to pollution-related causes.   

Air pollution is measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which ranges from 0 to 500 and reflects the concentration of harmful pollutants in the air. An AQI below 50 is considered safe, while readings above 100 indicate unhealthy air conditions.   

Experts say the main contributor to poor air quality is fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, extremely small particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream when inhaled, increasing the risk of serious health conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 99 per cent of the world’s population breathes polluted air, and air pollution contributes to almost seven million premature deaths each year.