Urban air pollution (PM2.5) breaches the placental barrier, causing inflammation and inhibiting the crucial IGFBP3 growth protein. This leads to restricted foetal development, low birth weight, and lifelong neurological risks, highlighting a severe maternal-foetal health crisis.
Click to View MoreShort-term exposure to PM2.5, especially from landscape fires and urban pollution, significantly increases hospital admissions among children and adolescents for respiratory, infectious, cardiovascular, neurological, digestive, and other illnesses. Children aged 5–9 years and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are particularly vulnerable.
India has implemented measures like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), air quality monitoring, and crop residue management to reduce PM2.5 exposure. However, challenges persist due to high ambient pollution, indoor smoke, socioeconomic disparities, and gaps in awareness.
A multi-pronged approach involving regulation, clean energy adoption, indoor air quality improvement, public awareness, and child-specific protective measures is essential to safeguard children’s health and reduce the long-term impacts of air pollution.
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