SMOG & HEALTH

Smog and maternal and child health

Pakistan is ranked third most polluted country worldwide in 2024 and averagely the air quality index was like 15 times higher than The WHO safe limit.

Our major cities were affected and air quality index which is called AQI was very high.

Major contribution of this polluted air comes from

• Vehicles and their smoke Industrial fumes
• Corp and the industrial waste burning
• Bricks kilns
• Dust
• Deforestation
• Dry weather
• Low rainfall during the winter season
• Chemical, pesticides
• Climate change and
• extreme of heat

Impact on children

• Repeated chest infections
• Red eyes infections
• Cognitive delays
• Poor school performance attention deficit
• Memory issues
• Allergies

Pregnant women

• Premature births and Low birth weight
• Growth issues
• High blood pressure leading to fits which is called eclampsia
• High blood pressure with proteins in the urine which is called preeclampsia
• Leads to damage to your cells and the DNA structure of the mother and fetus

Advice

•  Housewives should clean their houses and stop burning the garbage
• Teach children how to use masks and do plantation. Kitchen gardening is a best supply for the nutrition, fruits and veggies and cleans the air.
•  Plant snake plant in your home to make it a good source of oxygen and it removes carbon dioxide as well.
• Wear face masks and you should educate your children and your partners

Lifestyle Modifications.

• Regular exercise.
• Use of vitamin C, oranges.
• Dry fruits for omega3 supply.
• Green leafy vegetables.
• Healthy sleeping pattern.

Avoid.

• Junk food.
• Frizzy drinks.
• Sitting too long.
• Go towards more organic life.