World Health Organization has issued a strong warning about the effects of air pollution on children. On October 29, 2018, it released a report called Air Pollution and Child Health. It states that in 2016, 600,000 children died from acute lower respiratory infections caused by polluted air. What is worse is that 93% of the world's children under the age of 15 (1.8 billion) are exposed to high levels of PM 2.5 which are superfine air pollutants. Worst are those living in developing countries where 98 per cent of all children are exposed to very unhealthy air. 

Most of us love fireworks during Diwali. But these bright and colourful crackers have a dark side It's the toxic metals that give fireworks the beautiful colours we find magical The red colour of a firecracker comes from Strontium, a metal that causes bone growth problems in children Barium, which gives fireworks the green colour, is harmful to the nervous system, the heart and can cause tremors, weakness, anxiety, shortness of breath and paralysis. 

Green schools are taking initiatives to clean the polluted air around us As we gear up for winter, we cannot ignore that this is the time when we experience the worst of air quality across cities and towns. The air we breathe is filled with toxic pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM 2.5, PM 10), lead (Pb), ozone (O3), among others, arising from multiple sources such as vehicles, industries and power plants. Delhi has been infamous for its air pollution, for years, especially after the World Health Organisation reported it to be the most polluted city in …

Why has it become increasingly diffiicult to run even during early mornings? Suddu was anxious. He tightly grabbed Papa’s hand to avoid getting lost in the crowd. This was the third medical store they had visited since morning to buy a mask. The first two in their locality had already run out. “Papa, when will we go home? I am hungry,” said a visibly irritable Suddu. More than hunger it was the urge to get out of the crowded medical store. “As soon as we buy the mask, beta,” his father assured him. “But why is there such a long queue?”...