Is increasing perilous air quality leading to slow infanticide in developing economies?
By Bhaskar Anand
Bashkar Anand
Almost 91 percent of the world's population is exposed to air pollution at levels that are higher than the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The majority reside in developing economies. The severity of pollution in terms of Air Quality Index (AQI) is estimated by increasing concentrations of index pollutants like particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10), O3, NO2, SO2, and CO in line with ever-increasing industrialization and development.
Air pollution in terms of AQI100, and to wear a mask if going outside is necessary. However, in developing economies such as the Republic of India, the government does not bother warning the population when much higher and dangerous levels such as AQI>300 occur.
For adults, exposure to ambient air pollution can cause strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, acute and chronic respiratory diseases with the associated mortalities. However, infants are much more susceptible to air pollution related diseases, e.g., sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurs even in environments with low-pollution such as AQI
Several studies published by The Lancet (a leading medical journal) in the past few years concluded investigations with remarkable evidence of oxidative stress and inflammation due to ambient fine particulate matter. Eicosanoid hormones such as dinoprostone (Prostaglandin E₂), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and oxytocin are the signaling molecules that control vasodilation and uterine contraction for delivery. Blood-borne PM will either act as free radicals themselves or generate free radicals (hydroxyl free radicals) to cause oxidative stress that alter the metabolism of the aforementioned hormones.
Hence, as a preventive measure researchers recommend the consumption of food products enriched with antioxidants, such as fruit, to counteract oxidative stress induced by PM exposure. Additionally, breastfeeding should be promoted to reduce the risk of SIDS in infants. Moreover, for a long term solution, enzymes such as Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) which have antioxidant potential for scavenging hydroxyl radicals, may also be developed into vaccines by pharmaceutical companies to prevent the harmful effects of air pollution. In addition to all the above, it is strongly recommended to get to the root of real issues responsible for the worsening of air quality.
SIDS prevalence may continue to lead to inadvertent child deaths in developing economies. Hence, governments from developed as well as developing economies should come together and promote monetary support and technical exchange. These efforts may be helpful in taking affirmative action on the ground to encounter threats associated with air pollution.
Bhaskar Anand (abhaskar@hanyang.ac.kr; https://sites.google.com/view/bhaskaranand) is a doctoral student working in the field of air quality and material application at the department of civil and environmental engineering, Hanyang University.