How does indoor air quality affect children? Are there signs that parents and educators should watch for?
- Healthy indoor air is vital for all aspects of children’s physical and mental health. Indoor air can become unhealthy if outdoor air pollution comes indoors, if there is inadequate ventilation, or if products or furnishings used in the space release harmful chemicals.
- Long-term exposure to air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, and harmful gases such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone, is linked to increased risk of developing chronic diseases later in life such as respiratory and cardiovascular conditions and cancer. Indoor air pollution can trigger asthma attacks in children, and has been linked to decreased cognitive function and learning.
- Children are more susceptible to the impacts of poor indoor air quality. Their bodies, brains and lungs are still developing, and they breathe more for their size compared to adults. They are also more active than adults, and more often have increased respiration rates. Some children are at even greater risks due to inequities that increase their exposure to air pollutants.
- While most of the health impacts of air pollution are due to long-term exposure, short-term exposure can result in immediate effects. Parents and educators should observe children for asthma symptoms, shortness of breath, coughing, headaches, and eye, nose and throat irritation. If children are experiencing symptoms, it is important to take action to minimize exposures to poor air quality and seek medical attention as needed.
- The best way to improve indoor air quality is by removing or reducing the sources of indoor air pollutants, keeping outdoor air pollutants out, and using local air quality information (e.g., the AQHI) to guide action when air quality is poor, as described in these Health Canada resources:
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