children s health
Air pollution kills nearly 2,000 children daily worldwide: Study
A recent study reveals that air pollution is now the second leading cause of death among children under five globally, overtaking poor sanitation and lack of clean water.
In short:
- More than 8 million deaths in 2021 were due to air pollution, with children and low-income countries hit hardest.
- PM2.5 particles, primarily responsible for air pollution deaths, are linked to lung disease, heart disease, and other serious health issues.
- Climate change exacerbates air pollution, with higher temperatures and wildfires increasing particulate matter in the air.
Key quote:
"Our inaction is having profound effects on the next generation, with lifelong health and wellbeing impacts."
— Kitty van der Heijden, deputy executive director of Unicef
Why this matters:
Addressing air pollution is crucial for improving global health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable children in low-income countries. Addressing this issue can dramatically improve health outcomes and combat climate change. Read more: Breathless: Pittsburgh's asthma epidemic and the fight to stop it.
Extreme heat poses serious health risks to children, experts warn
With record-breaking heat waves sweeping the nation, researchers are highlighting the unique dangers that extreme temperatures pose to children.
In short:
- Children’s bodies process heat differently than adults, with less ability to sweat and more rapid overheating.
- Extreme heat can impact children's learning, sleep, and mental health, leading to long-term health issues.
- Public health experts advise keeping children hydrated, dressed in loose clothing, and never leaving them in hot vehicles.
Key quote:
"Children are not little adults. Children and infants, especially the way that their bodies work, is different. Infants do not have the same ability to sweat. The way that their lungs work, the way that their heart pumps blood, all of those things—their bodies respond in a different way to heat."
— Mattie Wolf, neonatologist at Emory University’s School of Medicine
Why this matters:
Children are more vulnerable to heat-related health issues, which can lead to severe conditions like muscle breakdown and kidney failure. Extreme heat can have indirect effects on children's health and well-being. School closures, limited outdoor playtime, and disrupted routines can affect their physical activity and mental health. This is especially concerning as kids need regular exercise for their development, and staying indoors often leads to increased screen time, which comes with its own set of health risks.
Rising heat waves pose increasing risk of preterm births
Extreme heat significantly raises the risk of preterm births, with severe impacts on marginalized communities.
Virginia Gewin reports for Grist. This article is part of a series in partnership with Vox and The 19th.
In short:
- Research indicates that high temperatures correlate with increased rates of preterm births, particularly affecting Black mothers.
- Global climate change intensifies heat waves, exacerbating maternal health disparities and increasing risks of pregnancy complications.
- Systemic racism and inadequate access to healthcare and green spaces amplify these health risks in marginalized communities.
Why this matters:
As climate change worsens, extreme heat will increasingly threaten maternal and fetal health, especially in vulnerable populations. For expectant mothers, prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to dehydration and increased core body temperature, both of which are stressors that may trigger preterm labor. Babies born prematurely face a higher risk of complications, including respiratory issues, developmental delays, and long-term health problems.
More schools in cooler climates now need costly air conditioning
As heat waves move north, schools that once didn’t need air conditioning are now facing high costs to keep classrooms cool.
Anna Phillips and Veronica Penney report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Many schools built before the 1970s are struggling with higher temperatures due to climate change.
- The estimated cost to install air conditioning in affected schools exceeds $40 billion.
- School districts are struggling to secure funding for necessary upgrades.
Key quote:
“We have had situations where it’s been 88 degrees outside but the real feel in the classrooms is well over 90 degrees because of the humidity.”
— Shari Obrenski, president of the Cleveland Teachers Union
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures can disrupt education and pose health risks to students and staff. Without adequate cooling, schools may experience more closures, affecting academic performance and well-being. The situation is particularly challenging for low-income districts that may lack the resources to make these necessary upgrades.
Wildfires and heat waves linked to an increased risk for preterm birth
Pregnant Californians exposed to extreme climate events like wildfires and heat waves were at a higher risk for giving birth early, according to a new study published in Environmental Research.
In short:
- Exposure to wildfires was associated with an increased chance of preterm birth. The same was true for days with unusually high temperatures.
- This association was much stronger when exposure to both wildfires and heat waves occurred simultaneously.
- The risk for preterm birth was strongest for Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American study participants in comparison to White participants.
Key quote:
“Given the increasingly frequent occurrence and co-occurrence of these climate related events, pregnant people and their growing fetuses should be consistently in the front of climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.”
Why this matters:
As climate change continues to impact global weather patterns, heat waves and wildfires have become increasingly intense and frequent. Environmental hazards that affect the health of pregnant people and their children can have long-term and severe outcomes, such as harm to babies’ respiratory, neurological, and cardiometabolic development. The authors of this study point to the need to recognize pregnancy as a vulnerable period in order to encourage regulatory action that better protects parents and their children.
Related EHN coverage:
- American Heart Association: Children must be protected from health threats of environmental toxics
- Op-ed: How climate change harms pregnant people and their babies
More resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Wildfire smoke and pregnancy
- California Air Resources Board:Smoke ready California
- Yale Climate Connections: Extreme heat makes pregnancy more dangerous
Ha, Sandie et al. for Environmental Research vol. 252, 4. July 1, 2024
Science summaries are produced by the EHS science team, including HEEDS.
Long-term health impacts of early smoke exposure explored through primate study
A primate research center in California provides insights into the lifelong health consequences of early exposure to wildfire smoke.
In short:
- In 2008, wildfire smoke from Northern California engulfed the California National Primate Research Center, affecting newborn monkeys.
- These monkeys displayed weaker immune responses initially, but as they aged, they developed more aggressive immune systems and sustained lung damage.
- The study, unique due to its control conditions, suggests potential long-term health risks for humans from early smoke exposure.
Key quote:
“It’s this first year of life, this really early window of development for humans that is so critical for imprinting long-term health. If you can control the environment during this window of time, you might set the stage for a longer, healthier life in the future.”
— Lisa Miller, associate director of research, California National Primate Research Center.
Why this matters:
Understanding the long-term health impacts of wildfire smoke on young primates offers crucial insights into similar risks in humans, potentially influencing public health strategies and environmental policies. Read more: Carlos Gould on wildfire smoke and our health.
"Our lives might be on the line"
Eighth graders reflect on the state of the planet.
HOUSTON — This week EHN is publishing letters from eighth grade students at YES Prep Northbrook Middle School in the Houston-area neighborhood of Spring Branch, Texas.
English educators Cassandra Harper and Yvette Howard incorporated the environment into a series of lessons in December last year. Each student conducted their own research to begin drafting letters to EHN about their concerns or hopes. EHN reporter Cami Ferrell visited their classrooms to share information about her personal reporting experiences in Houston.
The collection of letters, some of which were lightly edited, do not represent the opinions of YES Prep Northbrook or EHN, but are offered here as a peek into the minds of children and their relationship with environmental issues. Read the first, second and third set of letters.
Farith Juarez
I want to discuss global pollution because it is a severe problem and challenge we all face daily and it does not only affect people, but animals and the environment too. Animals lose their homes due to how much trash we produce and just throw it into places without thinking, whether it is a cup or a plastic bag, it takes months and years for it to decompose.
The issue of pollution can affect my community because places like rivers, lakes, ponds, and even sewers are full of trash, making It hard for people to enjoy a day swimming when all the water is dirty and full of trash everywhere you step. Not only is it hard on us, it is especially hard on animals. Imagine having to live in a place where you are constantly surrounded by trash, not only that but animals like turtles can confuse plastic bags with jellyfish and eat them, causing them to choke or suffer health problems in the future.
Sometimes in the apartments where I live, the sewers get too full of trash and they start to (spew) all the trash out, making it hard for people who live on the first floor because their apartment may flood, or they cannot get out because of all the water. This problem personally makes me feel hurt because not all manufactured items decompose quickly, it could take years. And by the time that trash is gone, there will be more trash. I am personally worried about our future and the future of our kids because by the time more children are born, they won't be able to know the beautiful Earth we once had because everything will be dirty and full of trash. They won't believe that we once enjoyed life without trash and animals suffering in the dirty water.
The government also needs to stop allowing items that take a long time to decompose into the market as well as to stop throwing trash in the water or burning it because it can release harmful chemicals as well as make the earth's atmosphere hotter. I want people to understand that a plastic cup may be the downfall of a whole community or it is one singular trash (item) that (can) take an animal’s life. A thing that all American citizens should be doing is recycling. People need to understand that you can reuse everything, and you will feel better knowing you did not contribute to pollution.
- Farith Juarez
Lucy Ely
I am writing to discuss how severe the issue of climate change is, and how we can work to lessen the problem. This is a complex matter that can be made worse by simple decisions we make every day.
The main problem is people are producing too much carbon dioxide, causing the planet to heat up, and basically making life more challenging. It harms absolutely everyone on this planet. It personally affects me by making me worry about the future for myself, family, friends, and strangers across the world. In the city of Houston, where I live, there has been an extended drought during spring, summer, and fall. Being just one of the many impacts of climate change.
All this terrifies me and makes me feel bad for any ways I’ve possibly contributed to this issue. I’m scared the future won’t be a safe place for all who live here on Earth. I’m worried about future generations suffering, because of the people now and then not doing better. This makes it so important that people can be aware of what is happening, so more things can be done to make the world safer.
For example, if climate change were talked about more the government could in theory use someone’s idea to act. I think they could try to make it a requirement to have carbon capture facilities at every place that releases carbon emissions. I want the readers to understand that climate change is real and needs to be taken seriously.
- Lucy Ely
Keyla Cactzoy
I am writing to discuss that I have been noticing that summer by summer it is getting hotter and hotter. I am concerned why this is happening. I have also noticed that there have been lots of wildfires which makes me wonder what will happen to the animals' homes? I have been reading articles about animals going to become extinct because of us.
Because of people acting like it is not a big deal and not caring about the poor world I feel hopeless as if one day the world would look dead. But it does not have to be this way. We can all put a little effort into the situation, any good little thing you do would be helpful. If people could start learning how to save the world like for example: eat less meat, start using electric cars, and stop leaving trash everywhere. These examples would be more than enough to start taking care of our world, animals, and people.
We all have an option to keep hiding from reality like nothing is going on or to be a good person to society and start helping the world out by putting a little effort into the situation. It is your choice in the end just remember that you are doing it for a better future and community and if you think that doing these things will not make a difference just know that it will make a good impact to the world.
- Keyla Cactzoy
Jessica Godinez
Recently we had extreme temperatures in the summer which caused plants to dry up and some people to get heat fevers or skin allergies. Although this keeps happening people don't seem to pay much attention, thinking that soon over time their sickness will wear off, which is obviously not true. If we don't make a change there will be a lot of deaths for animals, plants, and us humans.
I feel disappointed (that) people always make their mess not caring who they might put at risk, and they expect other people to clean after them. We can't continue this. We have to keep trying for the better.
You might ask, what kind of things do we do to cause climate change? Well, humans like to drive cars because it’s way faster than walking to get to their destination faster. What (some) people don't know is that the back of the car releases carbon dioxide, which is caused by burning gasoline and fuel. That causes air pollution and is one of the major reasons for climate change.
We should start making a change by starting to recycle and not throw our trash in our environment like oceans because it can cause animals and plants to suffer. Another thing we can do is protest about climate change to the government and act for ourselves and for the better of our planet.
- Jessica Godinez
Javier Carrillo
This could affect my community.
If climate change gets any worse then that would mean that the weather we know today could get even worse and put thousands if not millions of people’s lives at risk. One example of climate change contributing to the weather is the maximum and minimum temperature in Texas have risen by 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit. This personally makes me feel strange of what is to come, and our lives might be on the line. Who knows, someday if climate change is still a problem, then maybe the sun may be too unbearable to even be in. The most important thing I am worried about is the safety of others today and in the future.
To address climate change, it is important that everyone in our community does the bare minimum. Everyone, including you, makes an enormous difference. One way the government should protect the climate is to limit the amount of smoke or smog that is released from smokestacks that are built inside factories. But what can you do? Mostly you can do some simple but highly effective things such as recycling or buying electric cars! It might seem as if you are not doing much but you can make a dramatic difference.
- Javier Carrillo