In the past year, schools around the world—in Thailand and Malaysia, Mexico and America—have cancelled classes on bad-air days
AS PART OF a “public-health emergency” declared on November 1st in Delhi, millions of face-masks are being distributed to children. Schools will shut until at least November 5th. The cause is polluted air, which Delhi’s chief minister says has turned the city into a “gas chamber”. The measures are severe but not unusual. . Air pollution does indeed do terrible things to schoolchildren.
Globally, says the World Health Organisation, more than 90% of children under 15 breathe air that puts their health at serious risk. The young are especially susceptible, because their lungs are still developing and their breathing is faster than adults’, so they take in more pollutants relative to their body weight.
Much more dangerous is the toll that pollution takes on cognitive development and mental health. Research, also conducted in 2014, found that air pollution harmed Israeli students' exam performance. A study in Cincinnati, Ohio, showed an increase in pollution to be correlated with a higher number of psychiatric-hospital visits by children troubled by anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Clean-air campaigners have tried to stem the damage. In Britain, for example, they have, besides encouraging student pick-ups and drop-offs on foot or by bicycle, recommended imposing no-car zones around schools in Birmingham, or, in Sheffield, placing hedges between roads and playgrounds. Such measures are no substitute for bigger changes, though.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Delhi declares public emergency as pollution at year's worstDelhi’s schoolchildren are getting smog masks as the air quality sinks to 'severe'. More here:
Read more »
New Delhi declares public emergency as pollution at year's worstA thick haze has hung over the Indian capital this week caused by plumes of toxic smoke from farm fires raging in neighbouring states.
Read more »
5 million masks distributed as 'toxic' smog descends on Delhi during DiwaliFive million masks being distributed throughout schools in Delhi, India, as chief minister describes city as a “gas chamber” because of “toxic” air quality.
Read more »
The Identity Thief Who Stalked Me For Decades Was My MomAxton Betz-Hamilton never suspected the person she trusted most would ruin her life.
Read more »
The Identity Thief Who Stalked Me For Decades Was My MomAxton Betz-Hamilton never suspected the person she trusted most would ruin her life.
Read more »