Introduction
Infant health has always been an extremely important matter in the context of health care, as children’s early development catalyzes some major modifications in their future health conditions. For this reason, both practitioners and caregivers should pay attention to the environmental factors that may potentially affect the child’s development and health. Such factors are not limited by their nature, as they tackle socio-economic peculiarities, health factors, and natural conditions surrounding the child. In terms of the present paper, the notion of air quality will be discussed as a major environmental factor impacting infants’ health and development. This problem was chosen due to its relevance regardless of socio-economic status and location, as everyone is affected by air pollution to a certain extent (Gouveia & Mascolli, 2018). The issue’s overview will include its description, methods of health and safety promotion, and resources aimed at assisting caregivers.
Factor Description
Prior to outlining the tangible methods to address the issue, it is necessary to dwell on its definition and manifestations both outside and inside a house. Thus, the notion of air quality stands for the condition of air in a specific area, considering the levels of air pollution of the amount of gases, dust, and fumes potentially harming one’s health (Wolkoff, 2018). Air pollution may be generally divided into outdoor and indoor. Whereas it may seem that the outdoor atmosphere is more dangerous in terms of the pollutants exposed, indoor air pollution presents a bigger threat due to the lack of proper air ventilation. Moreover, the existence of many items that are rarely cleaned leads to the beneficial environments for pollutants’ existence within the house.
According to Carlsten, Salvi, Wong, & Chung (2020), the notion of air quality is extremely important in the context of infant care for the following reasons:
- The infants’ height is highly dangerous because they are exposed to heavy and harmful pollutants that exist closer to the ground;
- Their lungs and immune system are developing, which means that exposure to air pollutants harms the development patterns while presenting a threat that cannot be handled by infants’ body;
- At the stage of cognitive development, infants tend to touch a lot of items and put them in the mouth. As a result, they interact with toys and other items that are likely to have dust and other pollutants on the surface;
- Air pollutants are likely to cause a predisposition for allergies and asthma in the future due to improper lung development at an early age.
Health Promotion Plan
When discussing the issue of air quality promotion, it is necessary to divide the action plan for caregivers into two major parts: indoor and outdoor health promotion plan. According to Wolkoff (2018), as far as indoor air pollution is concerned, the following measures should be taken:
- Elimination of items and surfaces that are hard to clean on a regular basis. The house should have a surface without porous parts that contain much dust and pollutants;
- Air quality-friendly cleaning tools. When using toxic cleaning products, children become exposed to hazardous chemicals instead of dust, leaving the risk of allergies and asthma;
- Regular cleaning. The surfaces such as furniture and rugs should be cleaned every day;
- Air ventilation. The house should be ventilated at least twice a day. The best option would be to install an indoor ventilation system, but such an endeavor may be financially challenging. In the case of traditional ventilation, it is of paramount importance to check the air quality rates in the area prior to opening windows.
It is generally accepted that spending time outdoors is essential for a child’s well-being. However, it is of paramount importance for the caregivers to be aware of the air quality hazards prior to taking the infants outside. According to Carlsten, Salvi, Wong, & Chung (2020), the following steps are to be taken:
- Caregivers are to check the air quality index when going outside with the kids;
- When taking infants for a walk outdoors, it is necessary to create an itinerary that avoids industrial areas or heavy traffic in order to prevent children from pollutants;
- When it is necessary to take a child outside on a poor air quality index day, it is recommended to use personal protection equipment (PPE).
Intervention
When dealing with air quality, caregivers should remember that the issue itself obtains a global character. As a result, besides being managed by the caregivers, air pollution should be primarily addressed by local policies and government because ordinary residents may only contribute to the issue solution. A proper intervention is required by the government because governors are public advocates obligated to provide families with a beneficial environment. Indeed, data shows that rapid intervention in terms of air pollution rate minimization eventually leads to better rates of children’s health in the community (“Children and air pollution,” 2020). For this reason, a primary suggestion to address the issue would be to resolve the problem of air pollution on a state level in order to mitigate the risks for average families within the area.
Accident Prevention & Safety Promotion
When following the advice created to secure better air quality, it is also necessary to make sure that the accident risks are minimized. Thus, for example, when ventilating the house, caregivers are to make sure that the windows are equipped properly to prevent fall risk. Another safety promotion aspect is choosing proper cleaning products with minimum odor. Considering the fact that the house should be cleaned on a daily basis, children should not be exposed to the constant smell of concentrated products. Finally, the notion of safety should go beyond one’s home, as air quality is an issue that exists within every infant’s environment. Hence, when speaking of toddlers visiting kindergarten, it is essential to choose a facility that is not located within such hazardous areas as heavy roads and factories.
Community Resources
Community resources are extremely important in the context of air quality, as various organizations may be beneficial in terms of promoting the mitigation of air pollution and financial support aimed at creating a safe environment. Thus, when speaking of Broward County in Florida, an essential community resource is the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (WEBSITE: https://floridadep.gov/air-topics. USE: AIR QUALITY CHECK, COMUNICATION WITH PUBLIC SERVICES). Caregivers are able to contact this public organization anytime in case they have any questions concerning the air quality conditions in the area, means of air pollution protection. They may also report an issue concerning air pollution in their area of residence in order to raise public awareness and promote public action. Another important community resource is Florida’s Office of Early Learning (WEBSITE: http://www.floridaearlylearning.com/parents/family-resources. USE: SAFETY TIPS, FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES). By contacting this organization, caregivers have the opportunity to find out the information considering the safety tools beneficial for infants as well as find the resources for financial aid in case they need assistance in order to secure a healthy environment.
National & Web-Based Resources
An important national resource in terms of air quality promotion and knowledge in the American Lung Association. This organization encompasses a number of clean air campaigns and relevant data concerning the safety of kids and adults. Thus, with the help of this source, caregivers can reach for assistance, donate money for the air-cleaning initiatives in the area, and access the most relevant data on air safety. As far as Web-based resources are concerned, caregivers should use online tools in order to be constantly aware of the air quality index outside. Caregivers are able to check the air quality of any location worldwide. The source also provides information on the statistics of the worst pollution indicators during the day.
Conclusion
Infant development and health promotion are undeniably essential in terms of a child’s health pattern formation and future outcomes. For this reason, all the issues that might present a risk for the infants should not be ignored by the caregivers. This presentation was primarily aimed at defining the ways to eliminate the hazardous impact of air pollution on infant health. It was estimated during the presentation that monitoring air quality index, ventilation, and thorough cleaning served as the most efficient tools in the context of risk mitigation. Still, the notion of air pollution remains a public issue, so caregivers should be aware of resources that help them advocate for their right to raise children in a pollution-free community.
References
Carlsten, C., Salvi, S., Wong, G. W., & Chung, K. F. (2020). Personal strategies to minimise effects of air pollution on respiratory health: advice for providers, patients and the public.European Respiratory Journal, 55(6). Web.
Children and air pollution. (2020). American Lung Association. Web.
Gouveia, N., & Mascolli, M. A. (2018). Air pollution: An important threat to infant health. Bjog – An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Wolkoff, P. (2018). Indoor air humidity, air quality, and health: An overview. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 221(3), 376-390.