Pollution: How Pollution Affects Your Ability to Have Kids

Lately there has been an increasing level of worry regarding the consequences of pollution from the air on the reproductive health of humans. It is generally known that air pollution is one of the key contributors to disorders of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, the impact of pollution on couples trying to conceive has been ignored regularly. Air pollutants such as the fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, these can cause hormonal imbalance, it can cause harm to the reproductive organs, and cause conditions that can take a toll on fertility.

There is a rising concern for the well-being of the children and adults raising children due to pollution. On a daily basis, over 90% of children are said to breathe in air that is contaminated based on a report published by the World Health Organization, and having to breathe this air can have serious effects on the growth and future of these children.

Air pollution can even influence those trying to conceive children in the following ways:

1. Air pollution can harm the growth and functions of the respiratory system of adults which leads to asthma, reduced lung capacity, respiratory infections and other various chronic illnesses, These illnesses can reduce a person’s overall quality of life and make them more susceptible to developing additional health issues later in life.
2. Pollution in the air can stump the growth of a child and interfere with the functions of the lungs and respiratory system of children which leads to reduced lung capacity, asthma, respiratory infections, and various other chronic illnesses.

Due to their young age and systems still being developed children are more susceptible to neurodevelopment abnormalities such as a decline in IQ and learning disabilities if exposed to high levels of air pollution, pollution may even impact a child’s cognitive capacities. Effect because of pollution can have a severe impact on a child’s present and future mental health, as well as their academic and professional prospects.

Adults can suffer serious damage in their fertility due to the increasing exposure of air pollution. There can be multiple negative side effect on their fertility  which can increase the chances of a miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, low birth weight and other birth abnormalities. This has the potential of having long-term effects in the survival and health of babies in addition to their cerebral and physical growth.

Adults trying to conceive, air pollution can raise the risk of having a stillbirth or giving birth prematurely or having a baby with a low birth weight, all these can be significantly dangerous for the child and mother. People living in urban areas with an increasing level of industrial activity and traffic are more likely to have to overcome higher obstacles when trying to start a family. It is importance to implement clean air legislation and make changes in your daily life in order to decrease the exposure to air pollution. This will help in paving a healthy future with clean air which in turn leads to improved reproductive outcomes and happier families.

There is a way to tackle the issue with pollutions, adults can choose to freeze their sperm and eggs around the age of 30 – 34, since pollution is increasing, this was you can secure your future fertility when you are healthy and at your prime and can use the same when you are ready to conceive. Pollution has become a new normal in the modern day, by freezing you can avoid the effects of pollution for a prolonged period of time.

It is important to protect yourself and the children from the harmful effects of pollution by taking steps such as avoiding the high levels of pollution, using cleaner fuels and technologies, improving ventilation by using air purifiers which improve the quality of the air indoors and monitors the level of air quality and following policies that reduce emissions and promote clean energy sources.