According to a new analysis from the American Lung Association, if the country’s power infrastructure relied on clean energy and more drivers switched to zero-emission vehicles, millions of children would breathe easier and hundreds of infants’ lives would be saved.”Children are already at risk due to air pollution and climate change,” stated Will Barrett, the senior director of clean air advocacy at the association, who authored the report. “As climate change impacts worsen, it will only increase the risks that American children will face as they grow older.”
The study, which was released on Wednesday, found that by 2035, all new car buyers would choose zero-emission models, and by 2040, only zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, such as buses, ambulances, and tractor-trailers, would be purchased. Additionally, by 2035, the country’s electric grid would be converted to run entirely on clean, renewable energy.
These changes would significantly improve the health of children. According to the report, by 2050, these modifications would result in 508 infant lives being saved, 2.79 million fewer pediatric asthma attacks, 147,000 fewer cases of pediatric acute bronchitis, 2.67 million fewer cases of pediatric upper respiratory symptoms, and 1.87 million fewer cases of pediatric lower respiratory symptoms. The study is based on a bigger American Lung Association report that estimated that by 2050, a major push towards zero-emission cars would save the US economy more than $1.2 trillion in health care costs.
According to US government data, traffic is one of the main drivers of carbon pollution in the nation, contributing 28% of greenhouse gas emissions, with power production coming in second at 25%.Children are particularly vulnerable to pollution because of their developing bodies and small lungs. Because they breathe more quickly than adults, they tend to inhale more air, which exposes their bodies and lungs to even more pollutants. According to the latest findings, children also spend more time outside than adults do, possibly in contaminated air.
Even before birth, pollution can be harmful to a child’s health. Studies indicate that exposure during pregnancy may result in an early birth or low birth weight kid.Significant health issues can arise for premature kids both at birth and throughout their lives. They are more likely to experience respiratory distress, cardiac problems, digestive troubles, immune system difficulties, and cognitive deficits.
Studies have shown that exposure to pollution has been linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and even suicide in both adults and children, even in cases where the child is born full-term. Additionally, exposure has been linked to respiratory and cardiac issues.
Studies indicate that 8.8 million premature deaths worldwide occur as a result of air pollution each year.
The American Lung Association’s 2023 State of the Air report states that many youngsters in the US are exposed to excessive levels of air pollution. According to the report, over 27.2 million children reside in counties with subpar air quality ratings.
“Anything we can do to reduce transportation-related emissions will help with both climate change and air quality issues,” stated Dr. Daniel Horton, a Northwestern assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences. According to a 2023 study that modelled neighborhood-level air quality, replacing just 30% of the region’s cars with electric models would save over $1,000,000,000 in annual costs and over 1,000 lives by reducing pollution-related mortality. Another study found that switching to electric versions of heavy-duty vehicles, such as school buses and trucks, would save around $5 billion in health benefits annually and over 500 lives in the Chicago area.