School age kids in jeopardy: Toxic indoor air causes major health problems

(NaturalHealth365)  When you send your child to school, you expect them to be educated.  You expect your kids to enjoy time with friends, improve their social skills, and get a good education.  However, too many parents have been uneducated about the dangers of indoor air pollution and how this can affect their children’s learning ability.

Simply put, our kids are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic pollutants when they head off to school, and just about every school does little to protect them from these toxins.

According to a study published in Nature in 2023, air pollution is a major contributor to various health issues, ranging from asthma and heart disease to stroke, lung cancer, and potentially even dementia.  Tragically, indoor air pollution has not garnered as much attention as outdoor pollution despite potentially causing nearly as many deaths worldwide.

Another study published in Environmental Science & Technology suggests the air in certain classrooms could contain higher levels of tiny pollutants than the polluted air outdoors.  Unfortunately, children have a high risk of being negatively impacted by both outdoor and indoor pollution.  In fact, recent studies suggest that that toxic air at school could be affecting your child’s grades, and not for the better.

Indoor pollution can create chronic inflammation, which affects concentration and memory

Scientists have examined indoor pollution levels in classrooms worldwide, including in the United States, Europe, and Australia.  In many cases, analysis has shown that schoolchildren are poisoned by toxic pollutants inside the classroom every day.

In Britain alone, it was estimated that around 6,500 secondary, primary, and nursery schools were in areas where the levels of toxic indoor particles exceeded the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.

Fine indoor particles are the most dangerous type of indoor pollution.  They can easily get into the bloodstream and lungs, and their tiny size means that they can penetrate deep into the throat and lungs, resulting in health issues.

Just a few potential problems associated with indoor pollution, and these tiny particles include obesity and poor IQ and memory among children.  In fact, the effect of indoor pollution could be responsible for poorer grades.

Time to fix the problem: Air filters offer a solution

What’s the solution for our kids in school – and even for our homes?  Air filters!

A recent study showed that by adding air filters to the classroom and improving air quality by filtering out toxic pollutants, school performance improved.  The study found that when air filters were installed, students saw a 0.18 increase in English scores and a 0.20 increase in overall math scores.

This study highlights that air filters can boost student achievement while protecting them from the adverse health effects of indoor pollution.

Of course, indoor pollution isn’t just an issue at school; it can also be a problem at home.  All indoor spaces can harbor industrial chemicals, mold, dust, and other pollutants.

Reducing indoor air pollution at home is just as crucial for the health of your children and yourself.  Besides using quality HEPA air filters with an air purification system, consider these additional steps to improve indoor air quality:

• Increase Ventilation:  Open windows regularly to let fresh air in and reduce indoor pollutant levels.
• Control Humidity:  Use dehumidifiers to keep humidity levels in check and prevent mold growth.
• Regular Cleaning:  Clean and dust your home frequently to minimize dust and allergen accumulation.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals:  Choose non-toxic cleaning products and avoid using strong chemicals indoors.
• Houseplants:  Incorporate air-purifying plants, such as spider plants and peace lilies, which can help absorb toxins and improve air quality.

By taking these steps, you can keep the indoor air cleaner, reducing the risk of health problems and even memory issues associated with indoor pollutants.  Of course, when it comes to the overall health of our kids, let’s not forget the importance of a healthy diet and physical activity.

Sources for this article include:

Nature.com
WHO.int
DailyMail.co.uk
ScienceDaily.com
TheGuardian.com

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