Skip to main content
universidade lusófona

Science & Society

What air do our babies breathe?

According to a study carried out in partnership by CBIOS-Universidade Lusófona and the Arco Ribeirinho Health Center Group, the air quality in the rooms of many babies living in this region on the south bank is not in line with recommendations. The results highlight the importance of ensuring air quality in babies' rooms and for parents to avoid tobacco consumption.

The study analyzed several parameters of the air in the rooms of more than 100 babies, including a class of pollutants called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), known for their toxic effects on the respiratory system. These compounds can be emitted by various household sources, such as paints, furniture, mattresses, cleaning agents, heaters, tobacco smoke, air fresheners or cosmetics. VOCs were high in 48% of the rooms analyzed, highlighting the need to ensure better ventilation in babies' rooms.

The study evaluated the occurrence of wheezing in babies and showed that babies with more wheezing episodes had rooms with higher VOC levels. It was also found that babies with family members who smoke are 4 times more likely to develop wheezing. Air quality and other environmental factors have gained increasing importance in public health policies. This study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health characterizes for the first time indoor air quality in the residential context of a Portuguese population up to 36 months. Although exploratory, the study provides useful clues for designing larger future studies on the impact of air quality on babies' respiratory health.

Media