Pollution in city making kids ill

Pollution from vehicles, industries and construction sites is causing respiratory ailments among children, pushing many of them close to debilitating illnesses such as asthma, a civic survey has revealed.

Pollution from vehicles, industries and construction sites is causing respiratory ailments among children, pushing many of them close to debilitating illnesses such as asthma, a civic survey has revealed.

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The two-year-long survey conducted among 1,163 school students in the city shows that more than 10% of them had respiratory ailments such as asthma, wheezing and cough. The survey findings prompted the civic body to consider undertaking a ‘dust-free Mumbai’ drive.

The study revealed that 3.9% of the children had asthma while 6.18% complained of breathing problems.

Dr Amita Athavale, head of the department of chest medicine and the Environment Pol-lution Research Centre of KEM Hospital, Parel, that conducted the survey, said: “There is an increase in the number of children falling prey to respiratory ailments in the last few years.”

The survey was commissioned following the death of a 17-year-old Delhi girl after an asthma attack in April 2009.