Cover In-Pram Children from Car Exhaust Emissions

Children are particularly vulnerable to even low levels of pollution. Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents are linked to traffic pollution. (source) Air pollution generally demands sacrifices in lives and economic costs. (source) Pollution from combustion (diesel) vehicles/ motors, fires (back-burning) and wood heaters are just a few that shorten lives prematurely.

Now parents are advised to use covers on their prams during toxic school runs to protect their infants from air pollution:

 “Fine particles show larger health impacts compared to their larger counterparts and at the young age children are more susceptible to particulate pollution, suggesting a clear need for precautionary measures to limit their exposure during their transport along the busy roadsides…Children could be at risk of breathing in some nasty and harmful chemical species…One of the simplest ways to combat this is to use a barrier between the in-pram children and the exhaust emissions, especially at pollution hotspots such as traffic intersections, so parents should use pram covers if at all possible.” (Source)

Links:
Use buggy covers to combat air pollution danger, parents warned, The Guardian, 10.03.2017
Exposure of in-pram babies to airborne particles during morning drop-in and afternoon pick-up of school children, Environmental Pollution 06.03.2017

Top tips to avoid getting metal pollution in your brain, New Scientist, 5 September 2016

NICU treatments for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes rely heavily on touch. On the somatosensory scaffolding of later perceptual, cognitive, and social development. Touch is a cornerstone of interpersonal interactions and sensory-cognitive development. Current Biology, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.02.036

Update:
Air quality concerns spur anti-idling push at schools. Parents who leave their cars idling in school pick-up zones urged to switch off.  abc 12.04.2017



Images:
Mother and child getting poisoned by cars, Street art EU
Plastic covered prams of North Shore jogging mums, Sydney
Tyre Adventure Playground, Bellingen