Vehicular emissions put children at risk

Hyderabad: Increasing vehicular traffic in the city is one of the major contributory factors for the rising cases of asthma.

The increasing number of vehicles on the roads, especially two-wheelers, which constitute 32 per cent, is leading to even small residential colonies facing pollution.

Consultant pulmonologist, Dr S.A. Rafi said, “It was believed that vehicular pollution affected only the main roads and residents living along these roads suffered the most. But now every by-lane and even the otherwise peaceful colonies face two-wheeler traffic, which is adding to the levels of pollutants in these areas.”

Experts state that this affects children who are exposed to vehicular emissions, making them prone to asthma. Children who play in parks and playgrounds near heavy traffic areas in the evenings are more vulnerable.

Dr Pradyut Wagray, consultant pulmonologist, Apollo Hospital, explained, “The airways get chocked due to fine dust particles from the air pollutants leading to tightening of the chest. In children it leads to severe cough early in the morning and also at night and it is found to persist despite oral medications. But asthma symptoms are found to vary from person to person the other causes like cold, pollen, furry pets and also viruses can’t be undermined.”