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Rachel V Thomas

Delhi's Poor AQI, Monsoon Conditions Put Children's Lungs at Risk: Ways to Keep Kids Safe

Delhi's air quality has slipped into the 'poor' category for the first time in more than 85 days, even as the monsoon season sets in. While rainfall is often expected to clear the air, doctors warn that a combination of lingering pollution, high humidity, mold, allergens, and seasonal viral infections can significantly increase the risk of respiratory illnesses in children. Experts say children are especially vulnerable because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, making it easier for polluted air and environmental triggers to affect their breathing and long-term lung health.

After weeks of relatively clean air, Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on July 12, with the city's overall <span>Air Quality Index</span> (<span>AQI</span>) slipping into the 'poor' category at 261—the highest level recorded in more than 85 days.

According to <span>Central Pollution Control Board</span> (CPCB) data, this was the city's highest AQI since April 17, when it stood at 263.

Repeated exposure to polluted air during childhood can impair lung development and increase the risk of long-term respiratory diseases.

"Air pollution affects children more because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster than adults, inhaling more polluted air relative to their body weight," Dr. Narendra Kumar Jha, Director and Head of Pediatrics at Yashoda Medicity, told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>.

He added that inhaled pollutants irritate and inflame the airways, weakening the body's natural defense mechanisms. This can lead to chronic cough, wheezing, breathing difficulties, throat irritation, and worsening of conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

<h2>Why Children Are More Vulnerable</h2>

Children are not simply "small adults," said Dr. Nikhil Rajvanshi, Consultant, Pediatric Pulmonology, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi.

Because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, children breathe faster and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight than adults, making them more susceptible to pollution, infections, and environmental triggers.

<h2>How Air Pollution Affects Children's Lungs</h2>

According to Dr. Rajvanshi, pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering inflammation.

<ul><li>Coughing</li><li>Wheezing</li><li>Chest tightness</li><li>Reduced exercise tolerance</li><li>Increased emergency visits in susceptible children</li></ul>

Over time, repeated exposure can impair lung growth, reduce lung function, worsen asthma control, and increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases later in life.

<h2>Why Respiratory Illnesses Increase During the Monsoon</h2>

Despite occasional rainfall clearing pollutants, the monsoon creates conditions that favor respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Rajvanshi explained that high humidity promotes indoor mold growth, damp conditions increase exposure to fungal spores, viral infections spread more easily, and sudden weather changes can trigger asthma. Periods of stagnant air between rainfall spells may also allow pollutants to accumulate.

As a result, pediatric clinics are reporting more cases of:

<ul><li>Viral upper respiratory tract infections</li><li>Persistent cough after viral illness</li><li>Wheezing, especially in preschool-aged children</li><li>Acute asthma attacks</li><li>Allergic rhinitis with nasal blockage and sneezing</li><li>Breathing difficulties linked to humidity, mold exposure, and fluctuating air quality</li></ul>

Children with asthma or allergies are particularly vulnerable, as viral infections combined with poor air quality can significantly worsen their symptoms.

<h2>How Parents Can Protect Their Children</h2>

Dr. Jha advised parents not to ignore persistent cough, breathing difficulty, or sleep disturbances caused by respiratory symptoms.

On days when pollution levels are high, children should avoid prolonged outdoor activities and strenuous exercise. Parents should also keep indoor air as clean as possible, ensure children stay hydrated, and continue prescribed asthma medications if needed.

<strong>Other preventive measures include:</strong>

<ul><li>Monitor the daily AQI before outdoor activities.</li><li>Keep children away from tobacco smoke, incense, mosquito coils, and indoor biomass smoke.</li><li>Prevent dampness and mold inside the home.</li><li>Clean regularly to reduce dust accumulation.</li><li>Encourage frequent hand hygiene.</li><li>Ensure adequate sleep, hydration, and a balanced diet.</li><li>Continue prescribed controller medication and maintain an updated asthma action plan for children with asthma.</li><li>Ensure eligible children, particularly those with chronic respiratory diseases, receive an annual influenza vaccination.</li></ul>

<h2>When Should Parents Seek Medical Care?</h2>

Parents should consult a pediatrician if a child develops:

<ul><li>Fast or difficult breathing</li><li>Wheezing or noisy breathing</li><li>A cough lasting longer than two to three weeks</li><li>Recurrent nighttime coughing</li><li>Fever accompanied by breathing difficulty</li><li>Poor feeding or lethargy in infants</li><li>Bluish lips or fingertips</li><li>Asthma symptoms that do not improve with prescribed reliever medication</li></ul>

Dr. Rajvanshi stressed that early medical evaluation can help distinguish between viral infections, asthma, allergies, pneumonia, and other lung conditions.

"Not every cough requires antibiotics, and not every episode of wheezing means a child has asthma. However, recurrent cough, persistent wheezing, exercise limitation, or breathing difficulty should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent complications and improve long-term lung health," he told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>.

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Delhi's air quality has slipped into the 'poor' category for the first time in more than 85 days, even as the monsoon season sets in. While rainfall is often expected to clear the air, doctors warn that a combination of lingering pollution, high humidity, mold, allergens, and seasonal viral infections can significantly increase the risk of respiratory illnesses in children. Experts say children are especially vulnerable because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, making it easier for polluted air and environmental triggers to affect their breathing and long-term lung health.After weeks of relatively clean air, Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on July 12, with the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the 'poor' category at 261—the highest level recorded in more than 85 days.According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, this was the city's highest AQI since April 17, when it stood at 263.Repeated exposure to polluted air during childhood can impair lung development and increase the risk of long-term respiratory diseases."Air pollution affects children more because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster than adults, inhaling more polluted air relative to their body weight," Dr. Narendra Kumar Jha, Director and Head of Pediatrics at Yashoda Medicity, told HealthandMe.He added that inhaled pollutants irritate and inflame the airways, weakening the body's natural defense mechanisms. This can lead to chronic cough, wheezing, breathing difficulties, throat irritation, and worsening of conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.Why Children Are More VulnerableChildren are not simply "small adults," said Dr. Nikhil Rajvanshi, Consultant, Pediatric Pulmonology, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi.Because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, children breathe faster and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight than adults, making them more susceptible to pollution, infections, and environmental triggers.How Air Pollution Affects Children's LungsAccording to Dr. Rajvanshi, pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering inflammation.Even short-term exposure can cause:CoughingWheezingChest tightnessReduced exercise toleranceIncreased emergency visits in susceptible childrenOver time, repeated exposure can impair lung growth, reduce lung function, worsen asthma control, and increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases later in life.Why Respiratory Illnesses Increase During the MonsoonDespite occasional rainfall clearing pollutants, the monsoon creates conditions that favor respiratory illnesses.Dr. Rajvanshi explained that high humidity promotes indoor mold growth, damp conditions increase exposure to fungal spores, viral infections spread more easily, and sudden weather changes can trigger asthma. Periods of stagnant air between rainfall spells may also allow pollutants to accumulate.As a result, pediatric clinics are reporting more cases of:Viral upper respiratory tract infectionsPersistent cough after viral illnessWheezing, especially in preschool-aged childrenAcute asthma attacksAllergic rhinitis with nasal blockage and sneezingBreathing difficulties linked to humidity, mold exposure, and fluctuating air qualityChildren with asthma or allergies are particularly vulnerable, as viral infections combined with poor air quality can significantly worsen their symptoms.How Parents Can Protect Their ChildrenDr. Jha advised parents not to ignore persistent cough, breathing difficulty, or sleep disturbances caused by respiratory symptoms.On days when pollution levels are high, children should avoid prolonged outdoor activities and strenuous exercise. Parents should also keep indoor air as clean as possible, ensure children stay hydrated, and continue prescribed asthma medications if needed.Other preventive measures include:Monitor the daily AQI before outdoor activities.Keep children away from tobacco smoke, incense, mosquito coils, and indoor biomass smoke.Prevent dampness and mold inside the home.Clean regularly to reduce dust accumulation.Encourage frequent hand hygiene.Ensure adequate sleep, hydration, and a balanced diet.Continue prescribed controller medication and maintain an updated asthma action plan for children with asthma.Ensure eligible children, particularly those with chronic respiratory diseases, receive an annual influenza vaccination.When Should Parents Seek Medical Care?Parents should consult a pediatrician if a child develops:Fast or difficult breathingWheezing or noisy breathingA cough lasting longer than two to three weeksRecurrent nighttime coughingFever accompanied by breathing difficultyPoor feeding or lethargy in infantsBluish lips or fingertipsAsthma symptoms that do not improve with prescribed reliever medicationDr. Rajvanshi stressed that early medical evaluation can help distinguish between viral infections, asthma, allergies, pneumonia, and other lung conditions."Not every cough requires antibiotics, and not every episode of wheezing means a child has asthma. However, recurrent cough, persistent wheezing, exercise limitation, or breathing difficulty should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent complications and improve long-term lung health," he told HealthandMe.

delhi's poor aqi, monsoon conditions put children's lungs at risk: ways to keep kids safe

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