A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications has unveiled alarming findings regarding the impact of fine particle pollution, specifically PM2.5, on the health of children in India.

The research, conducted by a team from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, and other institutes, has highlighted the increased risks of anemia, acute respiratory infections, and low birth weight among Indian children as a result of exposure to PM2.5.

According to PTI, the study that analyzed health data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4, encompassing all 640 districts of India, found a direct link between PM2.5 exposure and adverse health outcomes for children aged 5 and under.

For every 10 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) increase in PM2.5 exposure, the risk of anaemia, acute respiratory infection, and low birth weight increased by 10%, 11%, and 5%, respectively.

Furthermore, the researchers pointed out that the commonly used metric 'total PM2.5 mass' may underestimate the true health impact of PM2.5. They emphasized that PM2.5 is a mixture of various components with diverse sources and toxicities.

These components can include organic carbon (OC), nitrates (NO3-), chlorides, and more, which may come from various sources such as domestic, industrial, international, agricultural, and transport sectors.

The study revealed that elemental and organic carbon, nitrates, and ammonia were more strongly associated with health outcomes in children than other PM2.5 species. However, other components of PM2.5 also posed consistent risks to child health.

The prevalence of low birth weight in the observations analyzed was found to be 16.6%, with a higher prevalence in girls (17.8%) compared to boys (15.5%).

Anaemia affected a staggering 56.8% of children aged 5 and under and was associated with various factors, including maternal education, socioeconomic status, and levels of PM2.5 exposure. Acute respiratory infection was prevalent in 2.8% of children studied, with rural areas experiencing higher levels than urban ones.

The study provided a comprehensive assessment of the effects of PM2.5, its components, and the sectors contributing to it on the health of under-5 children in India. It emphasized the urgent need for measures to reduce PM2.5 pollution and protect the health of the nation's youngest citizens.

As the findings underscore the profound impact of air pollution on child health, there is an increasing call for stringent policies and actions to combat the rising levels of PM2.5 pollution in India and other affected regions.