Pollution hotspot Olaser/Getty

Babies in prams are exposed to high levels of air pollution at hotspots next to busy roads, according to a study that measured particles on a typical daily route.

Prashant Kumar and colleagues at the University of Surrey recorded pollution levels along a 2.7 kilometre walk between the university and a primary school in Guildford, UK. They collected measurements twice a day, in the morning and afternoon, on 32 days, measuring pollution levels both inside a pram and at adult head height to examine differences in exposure for babies and parents.

Pollution levels varied greatly along the route, with hotspots found at traffic intersections and a bus station. Small particles showed higher concentrations in the morning, reflecting heavier traffic, while coarse particles were heavier in the afternoon


The study found little difference between the pollution levels experienced by babies in prams and adults, in contrast to some earlier research.

Asthma and pneumonia

Air pollution is strongly linked to a range of adverse effects on the respiratory system, with children particularly vulnerable. Children who live on main roads have a higher risk of asthma, pneumonia and reduced lung function. Metallic nanoparticles from pollution have been found in people’s brains, and may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

“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 could use pram covers if at all possible,” Kumar said. “We are also working closely with our industrial partners to develop innovative methods to clean the air around the children in their in-pram microenvironments.”

But pram covers won’t keep all pollutants away from a child, and the longer they are outside, the more particles that will make it through the barrier.

Jonathan Grigg of Queen Mary University of London says it’s difficult for parents to reduce their exposure by taking different routes. “People choose to move around a city by the most efficient routes. It’s by no means clear whether you can choose routes that will reduce your exposure and be able to use them on a regular basis.”

Grigg says the onus is on the government to cut pollution from road vehicles. “Getting rid of the old diesel fleet vehicles from the road would make a huge difference to the exposures of people using those same routes,” he says.

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