5 Ways to protect children from Delhi winter smog

You know it. It comes with the arrival of the cooler temperatures. Delhi’s air quality decreases - out go the blue skies and in come that gray-hued smog. Many factors contribute to the air pollution in Delhi. But winter weather patterns make the problem worse. The cooler winter air traps pollutants from rising higher into the atmosphere, a situation exacerbated by the geography of our city. With the onset of the season, we often see the little members of the family affected. Coughing, sniffling, sneezing and general discomfort begin. Is it our imagination or are the children more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution? They are more vulnerable. Their lungs are not fully developed until their late teens and they breathe more air per pound of body weight.

So how can we protect our little ones from taking the brunt of the season’s worst air in our city?
Well for starters, keep a few things in mind:

1. ​Download real time air quality apps to monitor the hourly readings. Watch out for early morning and very late afternoon and evening time, these hours are typically the worst in terms of air quality. http://safar.tropmet.res.in/or http://aqicn.org/city/delhi/r.k.-puram/
2. Avoid aerobic activity during the “bad” air times. That means during the winter months in Delhi consider moving the children’s cricket, tennis or football practice to midday or early afternoon timings. Same goes for Mommy’s exercise routine….! Shift early morning jogs or walks in the local park to midday for better air.
3. Talk to your child’s school. Ask them to monitor air quality and adjust outdoor sports and activities during the winter months to help limit exposure during the bad air times.
4. Look into buying a high quality face mask that filters out dangerous airborne particles for your child. 
   
5. Look for either N95 or N99 rated masks and be sure the fit is secure with no outside gaps to let outside air in. The gap would negate the positive benefit and protection from the mask by allowing pollutant particles back in.
6. Consider an indoor air filter for your home, specifically for your child’s bedroom. This would ensure 8-10 hours of sleeping time with cleaner air for your little one. There are some great options on the market. Best to look for air cleaning devices that can remove particles from the air.

​​Tina Chadha
Tina Chadha is a founding member of Care For Air. In 2009, she relocated to New Delhi, India. Within her own family, she has felt the impact of India’s air pollution problem. She believes the air we breathe is the ultimate democratizer and that clean air must be accessible to all.